The NBA is a brotherhood right up until someone hands out an anonymous survey. Just days after the Houston Rockets suffered a bitterly disappointing first-round exit against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2026 playoffs, Alperen Sengun is catching heavy strays from his peers.
In The Athletic’s annual anonymous player poll, the 23-year-old big man was slapped with a label no player wants on their resume: the most overrated player in the NBA.
Why NBA Peers Voted Sengun As the Most Overrated Player
If you want to know what the rest of the league really thinks about Sengun, look no further than the poll results. Snagging 12.3 percent of the 81 votes cast in this specific category, the Houston center beat out perennial targets like Rudy Gobert and Trae Young for the top spot.
But why the sudden target on his back? One anonymous player didn’t hold back, giving a brutally honest assessment: “He’s crying every play. He’s talented, but, dude, just play hard.”
That sentiment echoed a viral moment from Game 5 of the first round. After Sengun complained about a foul call, LeBron James openly roasted him on the court. “Did you say soft ass call?” James yelled. “You the only person out here that ain’t allowed to say that.”
Ouch. When the “King” calls you out in front of the entire arena, people notice. It seems Sengun’s habit of working the referees has officially rubbed the rest of the league the wrong way.
The Playoff Disappointment For Sengun and Houston
The timing of this poll couldn’t be worse, considering how the Rockets‘ season just crashed and burned. Houston was heavily favored to dispatch a Lakers squad that was missing Luka Doncic. Instead, LeBron turned back the clock, and the Rockets folded in six games.
On paper, Sengun looked solid. He averaged 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists during the series. But box scores can lie. His true shooting percentage has dipped over the last two years, plummeting to 51.9 percent during these playoffs. That is a noticeably low mark for a starting center.
Add in the fact that his defensive metrics were the worst among Houston’s rotation players, and you can see why some of his peers might think the hype has outpaced the actual production.
Could the Poll Be a Blessing In Disguise For Sengun?
Before we write off Sengun entirely, let’s look at a little recent history. Last season, the anonymous player poll crowned Tyrese Haliburton as the league’s most overrated player. How did Haliburton respond? He simply went out and led the Indiana Pacers on a historic run to the NBA Finals.
Sometimes, a bruised ego is the best motivation. Sengun is still incredibly young and wildly talented. He’s a two-time All-Star for a reason, operating as the central hub of Houston’s offense with his elite passing and elite footwork. If he takes this criticism to heart, hits the gym to improve his defense, and spends a little less time arguing with the officials, this “overrated” tag could age terribly.
Trade Rumors and What’s Next For Sengun
Naturally, when a team falls short of expectations, the trade machine fires up. Sengun’s name has already been floating around in hypothetical blockbuster packages, including whispers involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
To his credit, Sengun handled the noise like a seasoned pro during his exit interview. “I cannot do anything about those conversations,” he said to reporters calmly. “If I stay here, I’m just gonna stay with it. I’m gonna do what I’m doing.”
The ball is now in Sengun’s court. He can either let the noise get to him, or he can use it as fuel. Either way, everyone will be watching closely when he steps back onto the hardwood next season.
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