The link between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Alperen Sengun grew on Monday as the latter talked about his 2021 pre-draft process on Paul George’s “Podcast P” show.
In the podcast appearance, Sengun reminisced on his time preparing for the 2021 NBA draft. He talked about his hesitancy to get drafted by the Thunder due to their home city.
The Thunder had the chance to draft Sengun. They selected him with the No. 16 pick but quickly shipped him to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two first-round picks that were later used by OKC to acquire Ousmane Dieng in the 2022 NBA draft.
Since then, Sengun has blossomed into one of the best young centers in the league. In his third season, the 21-year-old has been the hub of Houston’s offense with career-high averages of 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
When asked about his initial thoughts on going to the Thunder, Sengun said that he was glad he went to Houston instead.
“No, I didn’t know (I was going to be traded), actually. It was like, everyone is talking about (the) draft who’s going to go this pick, this pick. I expected that I was going to go before 10. It was like Orlando, Sacramento, eight, nine.
We passed that and they said Washington, and Charlotte, were other teams. … but I knew they (are) not going to pick me, because I did not work out with them. I didn’t even work out with Houston, actually. My agent was telling me all the time they calling me for you, they want to learn what you do, they calling everybody, you know? I was getting bored because I was getting nervous because they’re not gonna pick me, you know. I was going (to be a) high pick, I didn’t want that.
Actually, I didn’t want to go to OKC that much. How I can say… my OKC workout was, like, maybe somewhat my worst workout since coming here. It was really so hard. My agent was in my table saying you’re going to go to OKC, but they’re going to trade you to Houston. I don’t even know anything about Houston, because I didn’t even talk to them. But they were telling me (that) OKC is so boring, I hope you’re not going there.
When they told me you going to Houston, I was happy because there’s something to do over there, people said. I was lucky, a lot of Turkish people were there, too, which has helped me a lot.”
Alperen Şengün reveals he was happy to get drafted by Houston after hearing OKC was boring
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It looks like it’s worked out for both sides. The Thunder drafted Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 pick in the following year. Holmgren has been one of the best players in the league thus far in his rookie season.
Considering the abundance of young talent in OKC with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey, who knows if Sengun would’ve been afforded the luxury his first couple years of the league to develop into the player he has become.
