While the Houston Rockets are still building toward the future, there are still some remnants of the team that was a contender a few years ago, with one such leftover being Eric Gordon.
Gordon has been dangled as a potential trade option for the last couple of seasons since the franchise’s rebuild began, but he remains on the roster to this day.
However, according to a recent report, the 2022-23 NBA season may finally be the one that sees Gordon move from the Rockets to another franchise.
“This might finally be the year for E.G.,” one Eastern Conference scout told Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “His contract is essentially expiring with next season being non-guaranteed and he’s on a big number. Houston can use that to take on some bad money and get an asset from some teams, but other teams still have real interest in him because he can help a contender. He’s a shot creator who can play on and off the ball. Good shooter who can handle it and pass enough. Going into a winning situation should rejuvenate him some too. He’s a pro and a team guy.”
Though Gordon is still a valuable member of the Rockets rotation and has actually started in all 25 games that he’s played this season, he would arguably be more valuable to Houston if he could net the franchise a future first-round pick or young and talented player that fits the team’s timeline better.
It appears as though that’s exactly what the Rockets would consider making a move for, according to Iko.
“While he’s long been admired by the front office and coaching staff, Gordon has made no secret of his desire to return to winning, contending ways and he’s made his preference for a move to a contender known during the offseason, but he’s since remained professional and patient,” he wrote. “As stated earlier, Houston is more open to moving Gordon now than before but remains steadfast in their internal valuation of him. The Rockets have more interest in acquiring a young player or a future first-round pick for his services than a late first in next year’s draft. If Houston can get that offer, team sources said they would move Gordon now and not wait until the February deadline. Already armed with their own first-round selection and Milwaukee’s in next year’s draft, there’s not a strong urge to add three more young players to a roster already stocked to the brim with them.”
The Rockets are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 9-20 record. While they have talented players like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., it might be a while before they are true contenders in the West.
Gordon could help a contending team, either as a starting guard or valuable sixth man coming off the bench.
So far this season, he’s averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game on 42.8 percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent shooting from deep.
As this season’s trade deadline (which is set for Feb. 9) approaches, it will be interesting to see if Gordon is finally moved. As always, there are hopes and expectations for fireworks prior to the deadline.
Only time will tell if Gordon is included in all that hoopla.
