The Rockets have a big decision to make this offseason, and if they don’t trade Eric Gordon before he becomes too expensive for them to afford, then it may cost their championship aspirations.
The “john wall trade” is a player that has been traded for multiple times in his career. He was traded to the Wizards for Eric Gordon, who’s trade value has increased dramatically, but the Rockets could keep him for reasons beyond the box score.
As the Houston Rockets continue to rebuild in the post-James Harden era, Eric Gordon’s name has been mentioned in trade speculations. Despite the fact that Gordon’s great season may make him desirable to a number of NBA contenders, the Rockets are unlikely to deal him.
Houston went on a seven-game winning streak after starting the season with a 1-16 record, making history in the process. Despite the fact that the Rockets aren’t close to competing, they seem to cherish the influence that veterans like Gordon have on the team’s younger players. Gordon might end up remaining in H-Town over the February deadline as a consequence of this.
Eric Gordon’s improved shooting efficiency makes him a valuable trading asset.
Throughout his career, Eric Gordon has depended heavily on volume from beyond the arc. In the previous two seasons, he seemed to be a subpar offensive player.
Gordon hit 32.2 percent from three-point range on 8.1 tries a game over the previous two seasons. For a man who relies on the outside jumper to set up straight-line drives to the basket, that’s an awful figure.
This season, though, the former Indiana Hoosier is shooting the ball significantly more effectively. Gordon is converting 44.8 percent of his triples on 5.4 attempts per game in his first 23 games. In terms of 3-point percentage, he’s slightly outside the top five.
During a victory against the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 13, Gordon demonstrated his tremendous scoring ability. On 10-of-16 shooting, he scored 32 points, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. On Christmas Day, the Indianapolis native, who will be 33, will still be able to acquire buckets.
John Wall’s predicament with the Rockets, and whether or not they attempt to move him, will undoubtedly get a lot of attention. Gordon, on the other hand, is as desirable a trade asset as any Rockets player because to his exceptional shooting stats and scoring background. In a bench player, he can provide key backcourt scoring to inquiring teams.
Nonetheless, Houston might decide to keep the 14-year veteran over the deadline.
The Rockets seem to respect Gordon’s leadership, despite the fact that executives think he might depart.
There might be a divide between the league’s overall consensus and Rockets decision-makers.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, rival executives believe Eric Gordon to be one of Houston’s “viable” trade prospects. The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen, on the other hand, hears something else.
Gordon’s worth on the current team, according to Feigen, is more than “whatever return he would garner in a deal.” Gordon’s intangibles, notably his “professionalism and work ethic,” are also believed to rub off on his younger colleagues, according to Feigen.
Gordon has embraced Houston’s new age of basketball. He noted in January that with Harden’s departure, the squad was looking forward to moving ahead and having a sense of direction. Rather than requesting a trade, this sends a strong signal to other players.
Gordon has also been an active part of the H-Town community. He recently assisted with the sponsorship of a Christmas shopping event for youngsters in Houston’s South Park and Sunnyside neighborhoods.
The Rockets are expected to adopt a wait-and-see attitude with the veteran 2-guard in the end.
Before the deadline, the Rockets are unlikely to make a choice.
On December 13, 2021, Eric Gordon reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Atlanta Hawks | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Houston’s front-office personnel, according to Feigen, are not in a hurry to sell some of their assets. The Rockets may have to wait until February to decide whether or not to deal Eric Gordon.
Houston’s season was given a new lease of life after a seven-game winning run. Stephen Silas may have discovered something, and he is no longer in danger of following in his father’s footsteps into history. The Rockets would rather watch how Gordon and the other veterans assist the young players in contributing to the team’s success.
Overall, the Rockets would probably prefer to become stuck in a never-ending cycle of selling. It could also be a bit simpler to move Gordon in summer, when his contract will only have one guaranteed season left.
In any case, Gordon’s effect on the current squad looks to be more important to Houston than his worth on the current team.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
Michael Jordan once expressed his ‘great respect’ for the Rockets and questioned if the Bulls could have defeated them in the NBA Finals.
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