New York Knicks Target Outstanding 21-Year-Old Center for Huge Trade

The New York Knicks are going all-out with their championship pursuit next season. Many fans are eager to see the season start after they got Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. His arrival solidified the team’s Villanova core, which should make for interesting basketball for fans and neutrals alike.

However, Bridges isn’t the only one the Knicks wanted to bring to the team. They’re being linked with Davis Bertans to improve the team’s three-point shooting, though no formal move has been made yet.

One of the most intriguing offseason narratives for the Knicks right now has to do with an exciting young big man who isn’t being given the assurance of a long-term deal with his current team.

The New York Knicks could make a move for Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun is one of the standout performers for the Houston Rockets last season. The Turkish center is widely considered to be a poor man’s Jokic, and his stats prove that to be the case.

However, rumors are swirling about how the Rockets are unsure with giving Sengun and Jalen Green long-term deals despite being two of the most productive players on Ime Udoka’s roster last season.

Due to this surprising development, the New York Knicks have come forward as favorites to make a move for the 6’11” center, per ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan:

Among the centers that are on the Knicks radar are Houston Rockets’ Alperen Sengun and Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, according to Marc Berman of The Palm Beach Post

A quick look at Sengun’s play for the Rockets will tell you all you need to know about New York’s desire to get him. He averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks last season. While his shooting efficiency took a hit, his expanded playmaking made him a desirable target for the Knicks.

However, he also noted that Sengun is too valuable for the Rockets to let go without the Knicks forking out a king’s ransom. They already gave up too many resources in the Bridges trade, and making a move for the 21-year-old may be too much for the Knicks to pull off.