With the 2021 NBA Summer League complete, fans got an early hint of what to expect from the most recent additions to the league. For the OKC Thunder, the 2021 event was more about seeing how the new pieces fit, building chemistry, and pinpointing gaps within the roster.
Thunder Nation knew beforehand this SL roster wasn’t likely to be competing for the tournament title. Especially upon learning Aleksej Pokusevski wouldn’t participate. My cohort Rylan Stiles and I had visions of POKU making nightly highlight reels as he served up a bevy of jaw-dropping passes. Instead, we’ll have to wait until preseason to witness his magical dimes again.
That meant the focus would be on the four 2021 rookies but early injury setbacks shifted those expectations. Josh Giddey turned his ankle in the club’s opening match in Vegas sidelining him for the remainder of the tournament.
The other three rookies were on hand with each putting their imprint on games. Tre Mann played two matches prior to also being shut down. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aaron Wiggins each took advantage of the full five games to display the skills that led to Sam Presti drafting them.
Summer League hints of huge OKC Thunder draft miscue as Sengun feasts
Yet it was the rookie that the OKC Thunder drafted for another club that arguably made the most impressive mark in Vegas. Hindsight is 20-20 and but trading this pick could very well be the greatest mistake Presti made this offseason. Many expected Presti would package some of the six picks (three in each round) to obtain a higher-ranked prospect.
What wasn’t expected was the team would trade the 16th pick to collect future picks. That player was Turkish big man Alperen Sengun and in return, OKC received the 2022 Pistons and 2023 Wizards first-round picks. At first glance, that seems like an incredible get for an unproven rookie but the protections on those picks are heavy and could take years to convey.
Rockets GM Rafael Stone had arguably the best overall performance in the 2021 draft and he clearly saw the value of 19-year-old Alperen Sengun. LIsted on my mock as a potential riser into the lottery I recall letting out a shriek at Presti’s turn of luck to nab Sengun at 16th. The joy quickly turned to angst as the trade was revealed.
Selecting and ranking prospects is never a simple task. Not every successful NCAA player naturally transitions to the pros. European players are even more difficult to project given film isn’t as accessible while interviews are often in another language. Even Luka Doncic who should’ve been the top draft pick wasn’t widely pegged as the best player.
TI readers are familiar with how giddy I was over Josh Giddey and my hopes for the OKC Thunder to target Sengun. And, I wasn’t alone in this assessment – – ESPN analyst, Kevin Pelton ranked Sengun first in his final mock draft ahead of Cade Cunningham. Notably, Pelton also was among the few who pegged Josh Giddey in the upper tier ranking him fifth.
Over the years there are numerous prospects sitting in my mock draft almanac that never rose to expectations. Still, I rarely get this excited about a player without a ton of preexisting hype. It simply wouldn’t have phased me if Presti took a big swing by packaging the 16th and 18th picks to move up into the lottery section for a player of Sengun’s ilk.
Sengun offered an immediate response to critics in Summer League
The early returns on Sengun suggest he’ll easily outperform his 16th selection. I’m not suggesting he’ll Pelton’s top selection will prove prophetic but it wouldn’t be surprising if he makes the All-Rookie first team. Yeah, he’s that impressive.
Presti spoke of the Thunder’s good fortune to obtain two first-round picks for a prospect outside the lottery. While that would typically be true if Sengun delivers to the level yours truly and others project for him, the Rockets will be the ones patting themselves on the back.
To that end, the center was among the standouts at Vegas delivering above expectations. Summer League is by no means a harbinger of seasonal stats but it does offer insight. Some prospects have terrible SL performances that aren’t reflective of their capabilities.
For example, Trae Young’s Vegas experienced was horrific as he shot 25 percent from the field and 18 percent from deep. In contrast, there are rookies who’ve excelled at Summer League but never witnessed the same success in their pro careers.
Sengun falls into the latter category. Most projected a Rockets rookie would be a standout (Jalen Green) but few nabbed Sengun to be among the leaders. Moreover, the center delivered in ways scouts projected were his greatest weaknesses.
Perimeter shooting and defense were cited as concerns but Sengun shot 37.5 from deep on 2.0 attempts and 43.2 percent from the field. There were some defensive miscues but he delivered a plus 5.0 and in general was more effective than expected.
While he got to the line an average of seven times per game he shot a meager 60.7 percent. That and his 2.5 turnovers were the only weaknesses on an otherwise spectacular debut.
Sengun consistency by the numbers in Vegas:
In his four games, the youngster averaged 14.5 points, 10.8 rebounds (3.8 on the offensive glass), 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.0 blocks playing an average of 25 minutes. His consistency was equally impressive:
Game 1 vs. Cavaliers: 84-76 win
Facing Evan Mobley it was Sengun who produced the better overall effort with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. The center filled up the stat sheet with three assists, a steal, and four blocks in 27 minutes. His rebounds, blocks, plus-minus (plus +18) and 14 free throw attempts were all game highs.
In contrast, Mobley delivered 12 points, five rebounds, a steal, and three blocks along with five turnovers and missed his two free throws.
Game 2 vs. Rockets: 111-91 win
Aside from top draft pick Cade Cunningham the Pistons SL squad featured many of their sophomores. Yet, Sengun was the best big and arguably player on the floor.
He scored 21 points adding eight rebounds, three assists, a steal, and four blocks with a plus +22. Sengun was aggressive offensive again shooting 8 of 14 from the field 1 of 2 from the perimeter and got to the line six times (connecting on four).
Game 3 vs. Raptors: 76-92 loss
Facing a stellar defense and losing Jalen Green after 12 minutes, it was the lone game where Sengun wasn’t as effective. Still, he came close to registering a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds along with three assists, two steals, and a block.
Toronto featured great length on the SL squad and that played a factor as Sengun had five turnovers (he had only one through in the prior two matches). Sophomore defensive talent Precious Achiuwa proved to be a difficult task for Sengun as he got his first true taste of what he’ll face throughout the season.
Game 4 vs. Magic: 76-84 loss
In the final game of his Summer League, Sengun delivered another double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds with two assists, one steal, and three blocks. Fatigue was a factor in this match particularly with Green shut down in the prior match forcing Sengun to carry more of the load. Houston sat Sengun for their final game in Vegas.
OKC Thunder will regret this trade
For the Rockets the best takeaway will be his consistency and the plethora of skills he brings to the court. Sengun landed on many leader boards in various categories. Specifically, he ranked fifth in rebounding – – the highest of any rookie on the list.
Furthermore, his 3.0 blocks per game placed him in a third-place tie with fellow rookie Isaiah Jackson and Pistons’ Sekou Doumbouya. Overall he ranked 15th in rookie scoring with only two centers scoring more and was the only rookie to average a double-double.
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It’s important to not put too much credence in a handful of games as many rookies take time to adapt to the blistering pace of the pros. Helping Sengun is he’s used to playing against men and that likely gave him an advantage playing clubs primarily comprised of other rookies coming from the NCAA.
The youngster will now take the remainder of the offseason preparing for the season and working on Stephen Silas’ system. Houston has to be thrilled by his overall performance in Vegas and how he impacted the game in various ways.
If he delivers a similar effort in season, it will be a huge victory for the Rockets who had the foresight to trade for him. On the other side of the equation, Sam Presti won’t be judged on the trade, at least entirely, until those two picks are conveyed.
Fans will become familiar with a unique free throw routine by the center. Sengun whispers to the ball prior to shooting. I wonder when the Rockets and Thunder play if those words will be something along the lines of “Mr. Presti — you made a huge mistake!”