Eric Gordon has been a big part of four playoff teams during his six seasons with the Houston Rockets. Making the playoffs each year since 2012, the Rockets took a sharp downturn in 2020 after trading James Harden. With the Rockets now embracing a youth movement, Gordon at 33 years old, is expected to be traded before the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Rockets are asking for a first-round pick in return for the 14-year veteran.
Gordon, the sixth man of the year in 2017, is under contract for three more seasons.
- Eric Gordon’s contract
- 2021-2022 – $18.2M
- 2022-2023 – $19.5M
- 2023-2024 – $20.9M (non-guaranteed)
Factoring in his contract and desire to join a playoff contender, we examine three potential landing spots for an Eric Gordon trade.
Phoenix Suns add Eric Gordon before trade deadline
- Suns get: Eric Gordon
- Rockets get: Jalen Smith, Dario Saric, Elfrid Payton, 2024 first-round selection (lottery protected)
In the midst of yet another incredible season, the Phoenix Suns are hoping to get back to the NBA Finals in June. Before they can do so, they may look to add a smaller piece ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February. While the Suns currently have the best record in the NBA, there are a few areas they could still improve.
They recently picked up Bismack Biyombo and he’s been a surprising source of points, rebounds, and blocks, but the team still has an additional need for another combo-guard who can create his own shot. This is where Eric Gordon can help. While he nearly landed in Phoenix in 2012 when Gordon signed a four-year $58 million deal as a restricted free agent before the Pelicans matched the offer, 10 years later, Gordon returning to the Suns could be a match made in heaven.
- Eric Gordon stats (2021-22): 14.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game while shooting 50.0/44.5/74.5
For the Rockets they add to their bounty of future selections by scooping a 2024 first-round pick while adding expiring contracts in the form of Elfrid Payton and Jalen Smith. The latter of whom may actually be able to give them some productive minutes, giving them a chance to see how he fits the system in the form of a rental. Saric tore his ACL so he won’t help anyone this season, but he gives the Rockets an asset they can shop in the offseason.
Los Angeles Lakers add Eric Gordon
- Lakers get: Eric Gordon
- Rockets get: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, 2026 first round pick
Practically desperate to make a move, the Los Angeles Lakers currently hold the ninth seed in the Western Conference, which, when you have LeBron James, isn’t nearly good enough. They’ve likely called all other 29 teams in the league offering roughly the same package as what you see above.
The Lakers and several other teams might be hesitant to take on the nearly $38 million in salary Eric Gordon is owed over this season and the next, but LA (or LBJ) may eventually be convinced that the sweet-shooting guard can help them make up some ground in the race to the playoffs.
Gordon is far from a star but he comes with a lot of experience and offers coach Frank Vogel another option late in games if Russell Westbrook isn’t feeling up to the task. Plus, Gordon currently is shooting the three at a 44.5% clip, which ranks second in the NBA.
As far as the Rockets, they get to move off from Gordon’s contract, appease to his desires by sending him somewhere he can actually compete and they of course land another first-round pick.
Related: NBA playoff predictions – Bracket picks & 2022 Finals champion
Eric Gordon reunites with Daryl Morey in Philadelphia
As the Philadelphia 76ers continue playing hardball with Ben Simmons, we can’t rule out anything ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Although an Eric Gordon trade to the Sixers would be tough to complete right now due to his 2022 salary, the team could send Simmons elsewhere, creating a ton of cap space in the process. Would GM Daryl Morey then be interested in reuniting with Gordon? It’s certainly possible.
A top-10 defensive unit, Philly could likely afford to sacrifice some defense for a bit of a more versatile scoring attack. That’s where Gordon enters the picture. Philly could look to add another shooter to prevent opposing defenses from clogging the paint to help Joel Embiid continue to dominate. Through 48 games, the Sixers rank 28th in the league in three-pointers made per game. Gordon can hit threes, distribute and defend.
You can never have too many veterans capable of getting the job done in crunch time and the Sixers already know what to expect out of Gordon, with Morey being familiar with him from their days in Houston. With Gordon expected to be moved, keep an eye on Philly as a potential trade partner.
