Indiana Pacers Receive: G Eric Gordon
Houston Rockets Receive: G/F Jeremy Lamb, IND 2022 1st Round Pick (Lottery-Protected)
As simple as it looks, the Indiana Pacers could actually get Eric Gordon at a much lower price than many would imagine. Due to him missing almost all of the 2020-21 season due to a groin injury, Gordon’s value has declined drastically on the trade market and his contract is not too favorable, which is why Indiana would be doing Houston a favor by acquiring him.
Eric Gordon is owed $58.7M over the next three seasons, with the final year of his contract being non-guaranteed. With him being 32-years-old now, the Pacers taking on a multi-million dollar contract from Houston would be helping the Rockets rebuild process out, which is why they would not have to give up much to acquire him.
Jeremy Lamb put together a solid season for the Pacers this past year, averaging 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and shooting 40.6% from three-point range, but he is nothing more than a role player off-the-bench for Indiana. They would be more than willing to trade him for a guy like Eric Gordon because you know what you are going to get production wise from a guy like Gordon.
With Lamb entering the final year of his contract as well, Houston would not be tied down to him long-term and could even look to flip him at the trade deadline for a draft pick or young asset.
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The worst thing that happens for the Rockets by acquiring Lamb is that he does not do much for them and becomes a free agent at the end of the season, which is not really bad news at all.
As of right now, the Rockets would be more than happy to get a first-round draft pick for Eric Gordon, which is what they would be essentially getting in this deal. A “one-time” protected first-round pick in 2022 would go to the Rockets and not really cost the Pacers much.
Indiana needs to be able to win-now and they have the assets to be able to do so. Their starting five, when healthy, is very talented and should be able to compete with anybody in the league, which is why they just need to add a little bit more firepower to their bench in order to build something special.
Trading for Eric Gordon gives the Pacers more offensive production in their second-unit, but is this an NBA trade scenario trade that truly makes sense for them?
