RealGM

Rockets out: Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith
Rockets in: Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng

Thunder out: Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng
Thunder in: Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith

Not a realistic trade proposal, as neither team would trade their franchise cornerstones and it doesn’t even work on the trade machine. But I’ve been thinking more about that draft day trade between Houston and OKC when the Rockets acquired Sengun, and how both teams really seemed to get what they wanted in the end. From a pure value standpoint I think it’s pretty clear that the Rockets “won” the deal, getting an All-NBA player for a few not highly valuable draft assets. But OKC was very deliberate about the style of big man they wanted, and got it the next year in Chet without having to worry about how he’d fit with Sengun.

For simplicity let’s just say that in an alternate universe the Thunder take Sengun, and then pass on Chet for Jabari the next year because Sengun is their guy at the 5, and the Rockets take Holmgren. And again for simplicity, say the Rockets use those picks on Dieng like the Thunder roughly did. Would either team prefer this alternate scenario? Holmgren fits the Thunder like a glove, but has had injuries and brings less total value than Sengun and Smith combined. The Rockets have a great thing going with Sengun and Smith, but still have questions about Senguns playoff ceiling defensively and would have to pay both of them.

So yeah, obviously for practical reasons this trade in 2024 would never happen, but I’m wondering if either side would wave a wand and make this player swap or if both teams are totally happy with where they’re at

I doubt either team does this. Chet was fitting perfectly on the best team in the conference. And Sengun is at the heart of the Houston offense. Plus with Chet now having missed 2 of 3 seasons....

I would not give up Holmgren. His combination of offense and defense is hard to replace.

Yeah definitely cannot see OKC being interested. Chet getting hurt sucks, but he is very much looking like the promised unicorn as a top 5 defender with real offensive skills.

Sengun hasn't shown any growth on adding shot range and is at 53.6% TS this year. I think that means he has now passed Giddey in efficiency.

Neither team does this. The Rockets depend on Sengun's creation and availability, as they lack a consistent backup center. The Thunder have something really great going for them and abandoning it prematurely is a lesson Presti has learned once already.