The Houston Rockets had a disappointing end to their season in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Despite being favored to win the series against the Luka Doncic-less Los Angeles Lakers, the Rockets were unable to advance. LeBron James outplayed every Rockets player, though Kevin Durant‘s absence helped.
Alperen Sengun had a very good series, but he could have been much better. He averaged just 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in six games.
Alperen Sengun Voted Most Overrated Player in the NBA
GettyAlperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Less than a week after the Rockets’ early playoff exit, Alperen Sengun was voted by his peers as the most overrated player in the league. Sengun received 12.3% of the total 81 votes cast by The Athletic for its annual poll.
One player explained why he voted for Sengun, saying, “He’s crying every play. He’s talented, but, dude, just play hard.”
Trae Young and Rudy Gobert, who were named the most overrated players in 2023 and 2024, respectively, were tied in second at 8.6% each.
Young barely played games this season, splitting his time with the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.
Gobert, who has been near the top of the list for years, is having a fantastic defensive campaign in the playoffs. He slowed down Nikola Jokic in the first round and seems to be doing the same to Victor Wembanyama in the Western Conference semifinals.
Last year’s most overrated player, Tyrese Haliburton, received 2.5% of votes despite missing the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Haliburton showed everyone last year that he’s a star in the NBA by nearly leading the Indiana Pacers to their first championship.
Other players who received votes were Karl-Anthony Towns, Ja Morant, Paolo Banchero, Deni Avdija, Scottie Barnes, Luka Doncic and Pascal Siakam.
On the other hand, Jalen Johnson and Derrick White voted as the most underrated players in the NBA, receiving 4.0% of 151 votes cast.
NBA Trade Rumors Surrounding Alperen Sengun
GettyAlperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets is defended by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Following the Rockets’ disappointing performance in the postseason, Alperen Sengun’s name is being attached to trade rumors, specifically for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Speaking to reporters during his exit interview last Friday, Sengun commented on the possibility of getting traded this season.
“I cannot do anything about those conversations,” Sengun said. “It just is what it is. You stay with it, and you know, it’s the front office’s job to do it, so I cannot do anything about it. Wherever I go, or whatever I’m staying over here, if I stay here, I’m just gonna stay with it. I’m gonna do what I’m doing. Same goes, same everything.”
Sengun is coming off his second All-Star selection this season. He averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in the regular season as the Rockets finished fifth in the West.
Rockets’ Alperen Sengun Voted Most Overrated NBA Player