Does this trade make sense for the Houston Rockets?

The Rockets are going to be looking for ways to add more young talent in the offseason, but they are also going to be looking to move some of their larger contracts in order to free up future cap space. John Wall’s contract is going to be very hard to move, but they could definitely move Eric Gordon in the offseason and get a reasonable return. 

Minnesota should be more than willing to trade Jarrett Culver, Josh Okogie and Juan Hernangomez for Eric Gordon because none of these three guys really hold a key role in Minnesota’s rotations. Given that they are all young and bring value with them, Houston could be intrigued by this trade proposal, but at the end of the day, the first-round pick they would have to give up could really hurt them. 

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Getting these three guys for Gordon straight-up would definitely be a deal the Rockets should consider, but giving away a first-round pick this year is definitely something Houston would not want to do, even if they are receiving three guys who were first-round picks in the past. 

It makes no sense for the Rockets to trade away a first-round pick right now unless they are receiving an All-Star player in return. Culver, Okogie and Hernangomez are all going to have to be worked on and developed further in order for them to be successful players in Houston, which is why this trade is not worthwhile for the Rockets. 

Maybe instead of a first-round pick, the Rockets could get this deal done by including two or three second-round picks, but at the end of the day, this is not a trade Houston should pursue since Eric Gordon could carry a significant amount of value with him into the offseason and potentially into the start of next season.