A New Hobbit Hole For Eric Gordon?

This isn’t a referendum on Eric Gordon. No matter your ideas on him as a participant, it appears almost sure his time with the Rockets both ended when he went out with an damage final season or will finish as shortly as will be successfully managed by the Rockets.

It actually doesn’t matter should you assume he’s good, dangerous or detached, by way of his Rockets profession. What he’s now could be, at finest, an participant asset to be traded for some worth, or at worst, a contract to be shed at a hopefully minor value to the Rockets.

So, Gordon is undoubtedly on the commerce market, and possibly has been for fairly a while. With the NBA draft within the rearview mirror, and the free company formally opening Monday at 3pm EST (wink, wink), it appears doable that Eric Gordon will be a part of a brand new crew quickly.

Eric Gordon has three years remaining on his contract. His deal is, roughly, $18 million this season, $19.6 million in 22-23, and $21 million in 23-24. It is a drawback to the rebuilding Rockets, however for sure groups, three years of crew management could possibly be thought-about a bonus.

Gordon’s wage isn’t out of vary for his abilities and place. He’s a two method combo guard who can rating at three ranges. Nicely, a two method small SG in any case, although as a consequence of his stable body and energy, he’s been in a position to efficiently defend from the 1 to sure 3s within the NBA.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks expects the highest 4 FA NBA taking pictures guards to earn roughly what Gordon is incomes now, and an identical wage enhance over a number of years appears probably as nicely. These gamers are Norman Powell, Tim Hardaway Jr, Gary Trent Jr, and Evan Fournier. None of these gamers appear clearly higher than Gordon. Like Gordon, every one has vital strengths, and weaknesses.

What groups may use his providers? Will the Rockets want to attend for different chips to fall earlier than he will be moved?

Let’s look right this moment at groups with cap area (as of the NBA 12 months reset on Monday. These are groups with probably area already out there, and in addition cleared via not opting to resume contracts, or re-sign sure gamers. That is, in fact, earlier than any free agent signings.

Rumor has it that many groups have an identical FA plan this low season, with lots of these plans seemingly revolving round former Rocket Kyle Lowry. Clearly just one crew will signal Lowry, and others might want to take a look at different choices. That’s the place Gordon would possibly enter the image. His abilities are clear, and his contract is

Listed here are a couple of doable locations based mostly both on cap area, what I consider as a great match, or a mixture of each.

New York Knicks – The Knicks kind of traded out of the draft, and have been clearing area. Their cap room could possibly be above $73 million, so they might signal or commerce for a premium free agent (some speculate, Chris Paul) and Eric Gordon. This is able to resolve what confirmed itself to be a evident weak point within the Knicks-Hawks collection – the shortage of anybody who may reliably rating the ball.

Miami Heat – Now that Tyler Herro is price significantly lower than James Harden, maybe the Warmth would take into account Eric Gordon as a substitute, particularly if they do not re-sign Dragic and Robinson. The Warmth, with out these signings, ought to have round $29 million in cap area, so Gordon once more may presumably be traded into cap room.

Indiana – There have been rumors that Houston and Indiana have been in severe commerce talks pre draft, with Gordon being the centerpiece. Gordon is an Indiana native, and his deal would supply the Pacers three years of crew management. This is a vital consideration for a crew that isn’t considered a free agent vacation spot. A commerce involving TJ Warren, Jeremy Lamb or Myles Turner are prospects. The Pacers did draft Chris Duarte, so maybe they take into account Gordon’s area of interest stuffed.

Dallas – If the Mavs don’t re-sign Tim Hardaway Jr, Gordon may be a risk there. Josh Richardson has already been moved, so it appears as if the Mavs can be on the lookout for extra guards, and extra shooters that Luka Doncic can discover. Gordon labored nicely with James Harden, there’s no cause to assume he won’t work with Luka. After all the Mavs coach is now Jason Kidd, so something is feasible.

These are a couple of choices, and others would possibly open up. What are your ideas?