Report: Knicks Interested In Trading For Alperen Sengun, Jalen Duren

According to NBA reporter Marc Berman, Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren are on the New York Knicks’ trade radar. 

The Knicks could be looking to make another move after acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. 

Leon Rose was in 1st row of presser yesterday with Mikal’s mother. Didn’t talk, but he’s still cooking, wants to make big center move after Philly’s 2 additions. Heard Houston’s Sengun has been on radar, even Detroit’s Jalen Duren. And that was before Pistons signed Paul Reed.

— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 10, 2024

The Rockets can sign Sengun to a rookie-scale extension this offseason. The 21-year-old averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks this past season while shooting 53.7% from the field, 29.7% from beyond the arc and 69.3% from the free-throw line. 

Duren just finished his second season in the NBA. He averaged 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 61.9% overall and 79.0% from the foul line. 

Sengun has career averages of 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, while Duren has career numbers of 11.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.8 blocks. 

The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in seven games. Along with Sengun and Duren, New York has been linked to Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Towns’ agent when he ran CAA. Towns was born in Edison, New Jersey.

Towns and Anthony Edwards have huge extensions kicking in next season and Rudy Gobert is slated to make max money as well. Towns or Gobert have to be traded for the Timberwolves to avoid paying a huge luxury tax bill under the new CBA.

New York head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is expected to sign an extension this offseason, coached Towns on the Timberwolves. 

Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 while shooting 50.4% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc and 87.3% from the free-throw line.