In comments made Tuesday, Shams Charania – national NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium – confirmed widespread reporting that Alperen Sengun’s recent injuries (a severely sprained right ankle and bone bruises to his right knee) are likely to cost him the remainder of the 2023-24 regular season with the Houston Rockets.
But beyond next month, they are unlikely to cost Sengun time or impact the 2024-25 season and beyond.
With that in mind, as Sengun’s third NBA season comes to a close, the 21-year-old will soon enter an offseason in which he becomes eligible for his second professional contract. Any deal would begin with the 2025-26 season, since he is already under contract for next year.
So, after a year in which Sengun attracted serious All-Star buzz and finished as Houston’s leading scorer and rebounder, will it happen?
After calling Sengun a young superstar, Charania said:
This offseason, he will be eligible for a 5-year contract worth up to $225 million. Alperen Sengun placed himself in this category, that of being a player under maximum contract.
“Sources tell me that Alperen Sengun suffered a grade 3 right ankle sprain, he will miss several weeks…a huge sigh of relief, but this likely ends his regular season.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania on the young Rockets superstar. pic.twitter.com/CBYT8UiWiD
– Stadium (@Stadium) March 12, 2024
It remains to be seen whether Houston will bid as aggressively in 2024. Keep in mind that Sengun was the No. 16 pick in the draft, his cap hit is maintained (the figure on Houston’s salary books at the start of the championship year 2025-26). ) entry into restricted free agency in 2025 expected to cost only $16.3 million — and the Rockets would have the right to bid above the salary cap or match any outside offer.
For rookie-scale contracts, cap numbers are tied to each player’s draft slot and do not vary based on subsequent production.
So, since Houston could offer Sengun the same terms in 2025 while still retaining greater financial flexibility for the start of its 2025 offseason, 2024 may not be the best time. If Sengun gets a new deal in advance, his 2025-26 cap hit would immediately jump to his first-year salary (likely above $30 million), instead of temporarily being at the lower $16.3 million .
Still, the fact that Sengun played well enough for it to become a topic of conversation is quite an achievement, in itself.
A crafty 6-foot-10 big man, Sengun averaged 21.1 points (53.7%), 9.3 rebounds and 5 assists in 63 games this season. His success has played a key role in the success of the improving Rockets (29-35), who are well ahead of their 22-60 record from last season and had won four of five games before the injury.
