Jason Burgos
Ime Udoka’s comments after his Houston Rockets’ loss in Game 3 of their series against the Los Angeles Lakers added fuel to recent speculation that the team could look to trade young star Alperen Sengun this summer.
The Rockets’ 2025-26 campaign is on the verge of a stunning finish. They entered the year with serious NBA Finals hopes after acquiring future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. But Houston finished fifth in the conference. Yet, they lucked into a first-round playoff clash against a Lakers team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
However, following an ugly loss on Friday night, where they blew a sizable lead in the final minute of regulation, the Rockets head into Game 4 on Sunday in a 3-0 hole. Following the defeat, Houston head coach Ime Udoka was asked about their Game 3 collapse, and he had a surprising opinion.
“Horrendous mistakes. I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment,” Udoka said in his post-game presser.
His comments were honest but also very interesting, because they seem to confirm why Alperen Sengun could be on the trade block this summer.
Did Ime Udoka confirm why Alperen Sengun will be traded?
On Friday, The Athletic’s William Guillory explained why the next couple of games were very important in Sengun’s future in Houston. After being a major part of the team’s rebirth in 2024-25, he underwhelmed late in the regular season and has been even worse in the playoffs.
“The Rockets were expecting much better than this. More specifically, they were expecting much more from Sengun at this point in the season, especially after last year’s playoff run helped solidify the 23-year-old as one of the pillars of the franchise in the short and long term,” Guillory wrote.
“There’s nothing hyperbolic about saying Sengun has been one of the biggest disappointments in this year’s playoffs — not just in Houston, but among all the postseason teams.”
While the two-time All-Star played much better in Game 3 by posting 33 points, 16 rebounds, and was a +10 when on the floor, he could not lead his team across the finish line in a very winnable game at home. It added to a reputation that he can’t get it done under a bright spotlight for a franchise with championship aspirations.
After the team was willing to give up on Jalen Green despite notable development to make the Durant trade, Guillory speculated Sengun could easily be a piece added to a winning offer in trades for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Donovan Mitchell in the offseason.
While Udoka didn’t specifically single out Sengun, he was among those who were scared of the moment, and that is not a good thing for his long-term prospects in H-Town.
