He did not clearly say he wants max money. But said he would prefer to sign extension now as his mind would be clearer
As far as I understand from the conversation, Alpi's commitment to the team decreases as contract negotiations drag on, and he will seriously consider another team next year
I don't think this is necessarily true. Sometimes a bunch of poorly managed teams start paying players too much money, that doesn't mean that everyone should start overpaying players. That's a big part of why those teams are bad to begin with. Remember when the lakers gave Mozgov 64 million when he was averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds per game? Anyway I'm not saying that's what's happening here with Sengun, and I think he deserves the max. But just in general, you should be hesitant to let other teams dictate "the market" because there are a lot of bad GMs out there.
I love Sengun and I hope he stays for a long time. However, extending him now is foolish. I completely understand why he would feel more settled if he had it now. But he also seems an intelligent guy. He will understand our reasoning for waiting. He won't be a child about it. I expect he may be slightly disappointed but understanding. Whether this messes up the long term relationship comes down to communication. If the front office are clear and open about their reasons and that they fully intend to pay him at the end then no one will be sore about it.
Must be saving it for Julius Randle. hlm and coachbadlee said he’s the key to a championship formula. Nets signing Sengun to kickstart their rebuild. Sengun and Wemby in San Antonio
In the rarest cases are 3rd year players really stars or superstars....... Teams spent their maxes somehow, if there are no superstars there, you pay the next best young player...... Is that ideal, likely not but it is how this works now. And it prevents players to have second thoughts and fidgety emotions. The Rockets do not have a clear superstar, until they get Cooper Flagg, they will stay having no real superstar......Alpe is the closest thing to having a star.....figure! Or you can have verbal agreements with Sengün and his agent to give him a max next year (but verbal agreements count for nothing) Go into RFA and pay the contract Sengün agreed with another team/match the offer.
The big man with guard skills is the most coveted player in the sport for a reason. The unicorn. If Sengun could step out to 15 routinely with an implied threat of competency from 3 that would be huge. It rewrites your offensive playbook. Jalen knocking down one more 3 pt shot every 3-5 games would satisfy the stat hounds, but isn’t really revamping anything (unless those shots are game winners) - poor shooting was a team wide issue. Sengun just isn’t seen in the same light of importance across the basketball landscape. He is what he is a fringe all star. Laying his own shortcomings at the feet of others is not an accurate assessment. Sengun having a few more assists per game isn’t what kept him from being an all star. Like it or not his game isn’t as exciting as other contemporaries. Efficient? No doubt about it, but efficiency won’t win popularity contests. It’s like that adage “chicks dig the long ball”. A major part of the fan base of this sport are admitted casuals so if you want to resonate make yourself a regular on the highlight reels. I may be homerish, but I do see chemistry out there. It’s a really savvy accumulation of talent. It’s just a matter of reps and experience before these guys gel as a unit and “get it”. I don’t think any of them are near their final forms. Winning heals all.
when Jalen was shooting well from 3 everything else clicks for him. He was legit a top 10 maybe even top 5 player in March. This isn’t just getting an extra 3 per game. He goes from a guy I couldn’t care less if he’s on my team to a guy that can help you win and even lead to championships. Sengun is definitely valued more highly in a winner. That’s just how this **** works. Players on losing teams rarely make the all star game. he needs to be able to hit from 3 to truly get to the next level. Kinda duh. Jalen’s issues aren’t on chemistry, gelling or his teammates. They’re on his own abilities. If and when he consistently gets them to an all star level, if his teammates suck I will be harsh in his sucky teammates.
His month of March is a hell of an expectation. I’d be cool with an extra 3 every few games because it puts that average around 38%. If Sengun is only going to be an efficient baby hook machine that’s cool because there is enough juice around him to compensate, but that style/approach won’t be a catalyst for championships as a first option in todays NBA. Senguns issues aren’t on chemistry, gelling or his teammates. They’re on his own abilities. Kinda duh.
