The Oklahoma City Thunder have already had plenty of practice figuring out life without Jalen Williams, and that reality is about to hit again.
Williams, the team’s No. 2 scorer behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently had surgery to repair a fractured left fibula and a dislocated ankle. He’s expected to miss most, if not all, of the year, leaving Oklahoma City thinner than it wants to be on the wing and forcing the front office to think bigger.
That’s where the 2021 draft comes back into focus.
If the Thunder had held onto Alperen Sengun, they might have had the kind of extra firepower that could ease the loss of Williams. Instead, Sengun was moved to the Houston Rockets on draft night in 2021, and he’s become a major piece there. The 24-year-old center is putting up a career-best 22.8 points, 7.4 assists and nine rebounds per game, and he’s already a two-time All-Star.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley pointed directly at what Oklahoma City gave up, writing, “You know what the Thunder are unlikely to find there? A two-time All-Star, 24-year-old center who might be taking his game to previously unseen heights.
"And that hurts because Şengün was originally drafted by them, only to be quickly rerouted to the Rockets for draft assets the Thunder later used as part of a package for Ousmane Dieng, who was salary-dumped at last season's deadline," Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley wrote.
The Thunder did receive two first-round picks in the deal, and general manager Sam Presti has used those kinds of moves to build one of the league’s strongest rosters. But this is one trade that may linger, especially now that Oklahoma City is dealing with more injury trouble.
The team went 39-10 without Williams during the 2025-26 season, so there’s evidence it can survive the absence. Still, Chet Holmgren’s small patellar tendon tear in his right knee adds another complication, and it leaves the Thunder in a spot where another All-Star would look awfully useful.
Presti has earned plenty of trust for the way he’s built the roster. Even so, if Oklahoma City wants another trip to the NBA Finals, it may have to get creative - and the Sengun deal is one it could wish it could take back.
In Other News...
Alperen Sengun Is Giving The Rockets A Real Contender Feel
The early returns in Houston have been hard to ignore, with a 6-1 start and a starting five that suddenly looks built for serious postseason basketball. Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun give the Rockets a mix of creation, size and versatility that has already changed the way the league talks about them, and the next test comes against a Celtics team that has also come out strong despite its own roster reshuffling.
Chris Bosh added to the buzz with a recent social media post that zeroed in on what makes this Rockets group so intriguing. He highlighted the teams defensive identity and half-court toughness, while also pointing to Senguns unusual offensive style as part of the appeal, the kind of combination that makes Houston feel less like a hot start and more like a team worth watching closely every night. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Get A Real Chance To Expose Bostons Tired Legs
Boston comes into Houston riding a five-game winning streak, but this trip asks a lot more of the Celtics than the standings might suggest. They are dealing with a back-to-back and the grind of a packed stretch, while the Rockets have had two days off and have been sharp at home, giving this matchup a very different feel than a typical regular-season stop.
For Houston, the timing matters. The Rockets have a chance to lean on freshness, energy and the comfort of their own building against a Celtics team that may not have its usual legs, and the game should tell a lot about how well Houston can turn that edge into a full 48-minute effort. The expected matchups and strategy points point to a tight contest, with the Rockets positioned to make this one interesting deep into the night. [Read more 🡒]
Fred VanVleet Is Forcing A Bigger Rockets Debate At Point Guard
Houstons strong start has only sharpened the conversation around point guard, because Fred VanVleet has done exactly what the Rockets needed while helping steady a 6-1 team. He has been a central figure in the opening run, bringing leadership, defense and a reliable presence to a roster that has looked organized early, with his production of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game fitting neatly into what the Rockets want from the position.
Still, the discussion around the spot is bigger than one hot week in November. The Rockets have backup options in Marcus Smart and Reed Sheppard, but they are also keeping an eye on the market and the possibility of a more significant upgrade if the right deal comes along, which is why VanVleets hold on the job feels secure for now without necessarily closing the door on a later change. [Read more 🡒]