The Houston Rockets are clearly in the middle of a rebuild. Due to this, guard Eric Gordon becomes expendable. His timeline doesn’t match with much of the current roster, and Houston likely wants to shed his salary off their books. Gordon has long been a dynamic offensive player and a capable defender, and can surely bring points to a contending team. This season he’s averaging about 14 points and three assists per game, but on a young Rockets team that doesn’t have playoff hopes. His contract isn’t ideal – $18 million this season and $19.5 million next season, but his 2023 pay of nearly $21 million is non-guaranteed.
Three Eric Gordon Trade Ideas
Phoenix Suns Go All In
The trade: Houston sends Gordon to the Phoenix Suns for Dario Saric, Jalen Smith, Elfrid Payton, and a second-round pick.
Phoenix lost in the NBA Finals last season. This season they’ve been the number one team in the entire league. They’re obviously a contender, and can further strengthen that during the Chris Paul era with this trade. Gordon will be a massive piece off the bench, being able to back-up Devin Booker while Cameron Payne plays behind Paul. The Suns will also have Landry Shamet for other situations. It’s worth the price considering the Suns’ window.
First off, Houston dumps Gordon’s salary here. Saric and Payton are two veterans that likely wouldn’t have a future in Houston. Payton is on an expiring contract, whereas Saric is serviceable and could be dealt in the future. Smith may make the Rockets interested in this move. He was selected 10th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, although he has seen very limited playing time in Phoenix. Houston gives him a better path to development and he fits in with the young core. The Rockets also get a future asset in the second-round pick.
LA Clippers Build for Next Season
The trade: Houston sends Gordon to the LA Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Keon Johnson, and a second-round pick.
The Clippers can’t move many picks due to their Paul George trade. They’re likely out of true contention this season with the injuries to George and Kawhi Leonard, but they’ll be right back into the mix next season. Their Bledsoe move hasn’t paid off, and they should be looking to trade him. They can also bring Gordon back as he shined for the Clippers before being dealt for Paul years ago. Due to the fact that the Clippers are built to win now, like the Suns, bringing in Gordon’s contract along with what he offers is a solid investment.
Houston gets Bledsoe’s contract here, which isn’t ideal but remains very similar to that of Gordon. They can either wait for his contract to expire or attempt to deal him in the future. Bledsoe’s play this season isn’t great, but he remains a proven NBA player. The Clippers don’t have many first-round picks to offer, so they can send Houston their most recent first-round selection in Johnson (21st selection in the 2021 NBA Draft and only 19-years-old) as well as a second-round pick.
Eric Gordon Brings in Assets
The trade: Houston sends Gordon to the Boston Celtics for Josh Richardson, the Kemba Walker trade exception, a 2023 first-round pick, and this year’s second-round pick.
Boston owns plenty of draft assets over the next couple of seasons, so they can make a move like this to ensure some form of playoff success. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is too good of a duo for Boston to hover around the play-in zone for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Gordon will bring an added scoring punch and will play strong defense in the backcourt alongside Marcus Smart. This allows the Celtics to use a starting five of Smart, Gordon, Brown, Tatum, and one of Al Horford or Robert Williams III.
Richardson hasn’t been effective since his Miami Heat days. It’s unlikely the Rockets feature him often, but his contract is quite tradeable. Houston seems to want a first-round pick when dealing Gordon, and they get one here plus a second-round pick.
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