Houston Rockets star center Alperen Sengun is prepared to be paired with Kevin Durant in the frontcourt. While expressing his excitement in an interview with Anadolu Agency, he also dismissed the critics who pointed out Durant’s age as a concern heading into the upcoming season. He said:
“I’m excited to play with Durant. Everyone is excited to play with him. It doesn’t matter his age. Ultimately, he’s Kevin Durant. I have no doubt he will bring a lot to the team.”
“He’s very experienced, and we have some very young players. I think he’ll open up the game for us. He’s incredibly effective both offensively and defensively.”
At 36 years old, it is fair to assume that Durant is entering the later stages of his career. This is a valid concern for a team that would be willing to offer him a two-year extension, in the hope that he will retire with the Rockets.
While this may be perceived negatively in some cases, Durant is still an extremely effective offensive force. In the 2024-25 season, the superstar put up an average of 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from three-point range.
Although it is evident that he isn’t the same scoring force he was in his prime, Durant hasn’t fallen off much. In many ways, the forward remains one of the most capable offensive players in the league, and on the Rockets, he is bound to have an impact.
Durant finds himself in an interesting spot with Houston. While the situation bears some resemblance to his stint with the Suns, Durant will now be paired with a multifaceted star big man rather than a talented scoring guard.
The Rockets feature some gifted young pieces, but Sengun sets himself apart as the star of the team. With a style of play resembling Nikola Jokic’s, Sengun boasts tremendous creativity with the ball in his hands.
Last season, the Turkish center recorded an average of 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. His performance in the regular season also earned him his first All-Star selection. Although his perimeter shooting isn’t very impressive, his efficiency inside the arc remains solid.
Whether it’s his playmaking or his scoring, Sengun will be a great counterpart to Durant, who remains a prolific scorer.
Sengun continued to expand on his expectations for the next season during his interview, saying, “Our goal is the championship. Everyone wants this. I hope we can give this to the city of Houston.“
The Rockets are in a much stronger position to contend next season. Along with the addition of Durant, Houston acquired some impressive talent over the offseason. With the depth and strength needed to compete with the best in the league, they will be a team to look out for.
