The Oklahoma City Thunder is steadily creating a name for themselves in the NBA. The latest of their exploits was amongst the high-rolling Warriors, defeating them in overtime, no less. Even when the Thunder is 14-7 this season holding the second rank in the Western Conference, long-time fans of the franchise can’t help but think of an ‘If’. Or a ‘who’, more specifically.

Let us take you back to the 2021 NBA draft season. OKC finished the previous season with a 22-50 record and were looking to improve their roster. With a pool of foreign talents in front of them, OKC made their choice – Alperen Sengun.

Alperen Sengun – the “most OKC guy”

With the team headlined by rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the OKC was looking to build a roster around him. Looking at all the potential candidates, they finally decided on the Turkish League MVP, Sengun. Then-19-year-old No. 16 draft pick, was traded to the Houston Rockets for two future first-round picks.

After the trade, the Rockets’ GM, Rafael Stone couldn’t contain his excitement at acquiring the young Turkish player. It was clear that Stone had done his research on Sengun. Taking questions post-trade, he practically went into a mini-long speech, listing all the merits and aspects of Alperen. And validating them with hard facts.

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“As an 18-year-old, [Sengun] was the MVP of the Turkish league, which is probably the third strongest league in the world,” Stone had said. He goes on to suggest that everyone research the number of players with that level of success. He continues, “We did not believe that he had a chance of making it to us at 23, so we were really aggressive trying to trade up all through the first round and then we were able to find a deal at 16 to get him. We’re excited and hopeful for him just like the other guys.”

The Thunder failed to recognize the value Houston saw in the Turkish Junior League Champion, clearly. Fast forward to now, and Alperen hasn’t failed his GM. The recognition and respect he receives from fans, analysts, and eminent sports personalities are proof of that. In his November episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the sportswriter dubbed Sengun as “the most OKC guy ever”. Let’s take a look at the ‘why’.

Did OKC just miss the opportunity of a lifetime?

2021 was a rebuilding time for the Thunder. When you look at it that way, Presti’s picks can make some sense. Even so, trading a future All-Star-caliber player for future picks seems to be a poor way to go about it, according to many Thunder fans and analysts.

Is Alperen Sengun Already Better Than a 21-Year-Old Nikola Jokic Whom He Idolizes?

Taking a look at the current status of ‘the 405’, they land in the bottom 10 when it comes to rebounds. Chet Holmgren is leading with 7.8 boards per game. Close behind is Josh Giddey (5.8) and SGA (5.6). Averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, Alperen’s presence on the court could have been the difference maker.

With Holmgren flanking him, the number is only going to be an uphill graph. This is just one example of the kind of difference Sengun’s presence could have benefitted the ‘Sooner State’. Seeing as how he is progressing, what with being likened to Jokic in terms of playmaking (yet another aspect OKC could use a hand with), the Rockets got the better end of the deal.

There is no doubt as to the fit of Alperen Sengun with Shai or Giddey. It was more a matter of poor decision-making. Or maybe putting too much thought into one? We will leave you with that thought. Don’t forget to comment down your thoughts on this. Was it a great move or did OKC fumble the bag?

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