Rockets guard Eric Gordon hasn’t asked team management for a trade, but sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic that Gordon would be open to moving to a club closer to title contention.
Like fellow guard John Wall, Gordon is a veteran with multiple years left on his contract who likely doesn’t have a place in Houston’s long-term plans as the team pivots to a rebuild. The Rockets and Wall have reached an agreement to hold the point guard out of games while they seek a new home for him, but it doesn’t sound like it will come to that with Gordon.
As Iko details, the Rockets have communicated in meetings with Gordon’s representatives this offseason that they’ve love to have the shooting guard stick around. And Iko refers to the 32-year-old as a “consummate professional” who will play whatever role is asked of him and won’t push the team for a trade. Still, Gordon acknowledges that it will be a challenge playing for a retooling club after having gotten accustomed to contending for a championship.
“It’s tough for a person in my situation,” Gordon said. “It’s tough going from going to the Western Conference Finals against one of the best teams of all time and being very competitive each year. And now, it’s a restart with no high expectations at all. So it’s much different.
“… But my ultimate goal is to just go out there and play, help, show that I’m healthy and gravitate to these guys to get better.”
Gordon is under contract for three more years, but his final year is non-guaranteed, so he’s essentially only owed about $37.8MM over the next two seasons. That will make him much easier to move than Wall if the Rockets want to pursue a deal, though he’ll have to show he’s healthy first.
[RELATED: John Wall Situation May Not Be Resolved Anytime Soon]
In 2020/21, Gordon was limited to just 27 games due to knee and groin injuries. He has made it a priority to get back to 100% this offseason, in terms of both health and conditioning.
“Physically and mentally, I’m definitely in a good spot,” Gordon told Iko. “Looking forward to training camp with the team and don’t have to really worry about any setbacks or whatnot.”
When healthy, Gordon can still be an effective role player on a playoff team. Although he has struggled with his three-point shot during his last two injury-plagued seasons, he averaged 16.8 PPG with a .364 3PT% during his first three years in Houston from 2016-19. Last season, he recorded 17.8 PPG, but made just 32.9% of his threes.
It’s really hard take 16M
It’s tough for a person in his situation
Hey Gordon Gin, if you want a buyout Is ok
Always really appreciated EG with the Rockets. Was cool coming off the bench or starting. Seems like a professional on and off the court. I’d like for the team to let him get to a contender. You gotta believe many teams would want his skill set.
He could be a 76er next week.
What’s the trade details for a 76er trade?
Simmons for both Wall and Gordon
#End of story
The combined salaries for Wall and Gordon comes out to a little over $62.5M so trading them together is practically impossible.
This guy ignored logical math when he posted wall for Simmons on another thread…adding gordon and still ignoring math, it’s clear he is just a troll
You probably have a I love Ben Simmons Number Sticker
It’s a tattoo actually
I don’t get the Rockets management in that both Gordon and Wall would have been much easier to trade before the draft. Most teams are over or at the cap line so its hard to fit somebody in now. Did they assume they could compete when the team has 0 chance for the last 2 years?
There was some talk about him getting traded to Indiana before the draft, since he is from Indianapolis (and went to IU) he would probably be excited to go back to where he started. I’m sure they have been trying to work out deals to trade both him and Wall during the offseason, but they probably don’t want to give up additional assets that other teams demand in return.
Since they seem unwilling to play John Wall to perhaps increase interest around the league, perhaps they will allow Gordon to play some this season and hopefully prove that the health issues that have slowed him the last two seasons have gotten better. EG should be much easier to trade than Wall with his $18M salary this season being less than half of his teammate’s.
That’s been the case for a while no interest though! Teams would be all over him in a buyout but wouldn’t want to give up anything for him
His 3 point percentage is down the last two years and he hasn’t been healthy. Proceed with caution.
Escape from Houston Part V
Always thought Gordon for Obrue was a good one. For both teams. Oh Well !!!!
Pacers were interested in Gordon before draft. But now with Duarte, probably not. A playoff team can use Gordon. Scoring off the bench. Can still put up points and shoot.
His shooting has been much worse the last two seasons, but he can still drive to the basket and provide decent scoring in the 2nd unit.
He can help a team. Rockets don’t have to give him away. Scored 16.5 a gm last two yes in 28 mins. His 3PT shooting was down last two yrs. His 2pt FG was .535%. He’s a career .370% 3PT shooter. He goes to a playoff team. He will get better looks. Hence he will shoot better cause he could always shoot. He can help a team.
And it’s another player wanting out of Houston.
Gordon would help his cause by stopping the long shooting that was basically required under Morey; but he’s gone now; so knock it off.
As always, the problems with a short shooting guard. He’s not bad driving but gets few assists even with half his time at PG, per Bas.Ref. He’s not even worth a roster spot for minimum, if a prospect is lost.
Maybe you should actually read the article. It doesn’t say he wants out, it specifically says he hasn’t asked for a trade but wouldn’t mind playing for a team closer to playing for the championship.
Right. Wants out. Maybe read your own posts before posting.
I see reading comprehension really is your weakness. Saying he isn’t asking for a trade means he hasn’t said he wants out. You really should learn to read it’ll help you out in life
He’s more interested in his view of things lol.
NoIQAl looks like you found a friend with the same IQ level. Congrats
two years 38 million
Again,
Injury-prone Gordon wants to play for title contenders.
It does not make any sense for Rockets to attach any picks,
It does not make sense for Rockets to take any salary for next year, either
Warriors need a G like him…
I wouldn’t mind the NBA imposing a new rule to clean this stuff up…
It seemed not long ago we only had to deal w disgruntled STARS ….Now we have to care about Eric Gordon?
Cmon ….. NBA loves the trade action that keeps the offseason spry and hell we all do….and salary matching is a big big big part of that…….But I do have a small problem w the aftermaths of tanking teams inherting overpaid players, buying them out before even putting on the jersey and then jumping over to a top 5 team on the min (Im a top 5 team fan btw as most ya know)… Theres a definite odor to it
I dont have the rule to drop at this point but I think theres a way to clean it up…seems to be happening more and more every year now
The owners who pays them and cuts them is just stupidity
Because salaries have gone wacked out. Tanking and taking on salaries for picks. Is now a true tool to improve. I’ve always said if the end of season is in sight for your team. Then you know if you are playing for next year. So it’s best to play the youth and get as high pick as you can. Not really tanking if you are developing. It’s all part of building and rebuilding. Unfortunately teams have taken this to extremes. Sixers did, OKC is now, Rockets did. A top 5 pick should be a future starter or Star. You just can’t miss.
These teams paying Wall to not play at all is crazy.. 40plus mill a year … I think he should suit up or give money back
What’s crazier to me. Is who is trading for a guy who doesn’t play. How can you see if he’s right or healthy. And then pay him 43 mill. I’m Wall I sit for two yrs. Get healthy and in best shape. Then go play for a team I wan to play for (still only 33 then). Rockets not handling this well at all.