76ers Offer No. 23 Pick to Rockets For Eric Gordon: Trade Report
According to ESPN, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon could be on the move sometime before or during Thursday's NBA Draft.
ESPN is reporting that the Philadelphia 76ers, led by former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, offered the 23rd pick in exchange for Gordon. There are also other "options" on the table for Gordon trades.
Gordon, 33, is coming off a 2021-22 season with averages of 13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. While his scoring average was the lowest since 2014, he was highly efficient as an initiator of the offense and playing off the ball.
If the Rockets are indeed seeking to trade Gordon, doing so sooner rather than later would be a wise move. He is set to earn just under $19.6 million in 2022-23 and has a $20.9 million non-guaranteed final-year salary in 2023-24. Houston could command real value in trade talks.
ESPN's report, however, is a direct contradiction of a report from Kelly Iko of The Athletic, who reported that the Rockets want to keep Gordon, in hopes that his veteran presence in the starting lineup can help their young team continue to develop defensively.
“The Rockets want to be a better defensive team, and right now, all signs are pointing to veteran Eric Gordon reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup once he returns.”
The Rockets appear unlikely to be much for players in free agency, meaning most of their moves will likely occur using the 2022 NBA Draft. Currently, the consensus projection for Houston is to select Paolo Banchero with the No. 3 overall pick.
Banchero projects as being a four in the NBA and that would leave the Rockets still needing a veteran at the three spot. Ultimately, that would be the case whether they ended up with Jabari Smith Jr. or Chet Holmgren, too.
The Rockets also have No. 17, and the newly acquired No. 26 pick as well.
With Jalen Green surely set to shoulder more of the offensive load in his sophomore campaign, Gordon's off-ball strengths will become all the more valuable. Especially if they were to work Banchero into their half-court attack.
In recent years, teams pairing up high potential prospects with cohesive veteran talents have helped the overall success of a franchise.
