Hall of Fame former center Shaquille O’Neal has weighed in on one of the offseason’s biggest climbers, the Houston Rockets.
Houston traded to acquire 15-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns, and signed 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith, rim-rolling center Clint Capela, and guard Josh Okogie.
They’ll be joining an intriguing young roster that includes All-Star center Alperen Sengun, All-Defensive Team wing Amen Thompson, appetizing forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, and one-time All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet.
Rockets on the rise
After going 52-30 but falling in the first round of the playoffs in 2024-25, the Rockets appear primed for a deep playoff run next spring. The advent of Durant gives them major flexibility in the frontcourt, plus an elite three-level scorer with championship pedigree who can take over late in close contests.
Capela (and the re-signing of free agent Steven Adams) gives the Rockets plenty of high-level center depth, and equips Houston head coach Ime Udoka with the optionality to play Sengun at the four in ultra-big lineups.
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The 7-foot-1 O’Neal, no stranger to jumbo-sized frontcourts (he did pretty well alongside 6-foot-10 power forward Horace Grant with the Orlando Magic), approves of the club’s active offseason.
During a fresh conversation with longtime NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, O’Neal reflected on Durant’s potential fit in Houston — and revealed his excellent nickname for Sengun.
Kevin Durant joining the Rockets is the most underrated move of the offseason says @SHAQ –
“Kevin Durant going to Houston probably can turn into something very special.”
Shaq likes Houston’s big Alperen Şengün –
“The “Turkish Terminator” that’s what we call him and I… https://t.co/GApqakFF97 pic.twitter.com/74Lo9uf2I2
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) September 9, 2025
When asked what the “most underrated” move of the summer was, O’Neal picked one of the most heralded transactions instead.
“You know I don’t pay attention to the offseason but I’ll probably say Kevin Durant going to Houston probably can turn into something very special,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal then offered up a rave review for Durant’s new All-Star frontcourt teammate, Alperen Sengun, fresh off winning a silver medal in EuroBasket.
“The ‘Turkish Terminator’ that’s what we call him — and I actually love his game and hopefully they [Sengun and Durant] can put something special together,” O’Neal said.
Last year, the 23-year-old “Turkish Terminator” averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 76 healthy regular season bouts for Houston.
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