Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported, that the Houston Rockets could be considering trading young talents like Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green to revamp the roster.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon says the Rockets want to make a big swing in the trade market
"I don't know if both Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green will be around long term." 👀
(h/t @iamsohappy28 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 29, 2024
MacMahon said via NBA Central,
"Houston wants to take a big, big swing in the trade market. I don"t know if both Şengün and Green are going to be here long-term. My guess, and I emphasize, guess—is that one or the other would end up getting moved at some point for them when they take their big swing."
Reportedly, Şengün and Green have upskilled their game this season, making them attractive trade prospects. Moreover, the Rockets are a team trying to rebuild under their head coach Ime Udoka, who seems to be the right choice for the franchise.
The Rockets had solid progress from 2022-23 under their new head coach, Udoka, in the first half of the season but had turned things around with 10 straight wins and a chance to the Play-In Tournament.
Around January and February, they went down the NBA standings, but in March they have shaped into one of the hottest teams in the league. On Wednesday, the Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to claim their 10th straight win.
In their recent 10-game win streak, top star Şengün had missed all the game, but he is likely to draw a lot of interest in the trade because of his age, size, and upside.
Moreover, Houston holds the Brooklyn Nets" 2024 and 2026 unprotected first-round picks, and unprotected swap privileges on picks in 2025 and 2027, due to the 2021 James Harden trade conditions.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) says the #Rockets are "trying to fast forward to Phase 3"
"They [Rockets] absolutely want to take a big, big swing at the trade market sooner than later. I don't know if both Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green will be around long term." pic.twitter.com/h7tDA45CBE
— 28🐐 (@iamsohappy28) March 29, 2024
As projected draft capital and the Rockets" young talent could guide to a significant trade, MacMahon claims they will make a move "sooner than later." He said,
"If there are stars that emerge on the trade market, I believe the Rockets are going to take swings"
Tilman Fertitta, team owner also has mentioned they have a three-phase plan in place to rebuild from the team"s 17-win campaign in 2020-21.
