Phoenix Suns Receive: G Eric Gordon
Houston Rockets Receive: F Abdel Nader, F Jalen Smith, PHX 2022 2nd Round Pick, ATL 2025 2nd Round Pick (Top-55 Protected, via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Dario Saric, PHX 2026 2nd Round Pick
Moving on from Eric Gordon is something that is inevitable for the Houston Rockets this season and while he has been a primary contributor for them, this team would much rather gain future assets and get out of his big contract.
Currently rebuilding, the Rockets should be more than happy to move Gordon for future value and in this trade, they not only get two second-round picks, but two young talents in Abdel Nader and Jalen Smith.
Nader is in his 5th NBA season and while the Phoenix Suns did re-sign him in the offseason, his role with this team has been very minimal. The 6’5” wing is only averaging close to 10 minutes per game and has only played in 14 games for the Suns this season.
Possessing the abilities to possibly be an impactful two-way player on the wing off-the-bench, Nader could provide the Rockets with a low-cost, relatively young option on their bench. As for Jalen Smith, he is in the final year of his rookie contract after the Suns declined the team options on his contract for the next two seasons.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Interested In Trade For Rockets’ Eric Gordon
Drafted 10th overall last season, Phoenix does not want to keep Smith around for some reason even though he has stepped up at times this season when Deandre Ayton was out.
Showing potential to be a lengthy big man who can not only rebound on either end of the floor, but extend his range to the three-point line, Jalen Smith could wind up carving out a solid role in Houston for a team that is looking for more frontcourt help.
The Oklahoma City Thunder really have nothing to offer up in this trade, but they are always willing to add draft picks to their name. In exchange for a Top-55 protected second-round pick and taking on Dario Saric, the Thunder would gain an unprotected second-round pick in 2026, so why not?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Interested In Trade For Rockets’ Eric Gordon
Phoenix once again looks like a championship contender in the Western Conference, but making a move for Eric Gordon could make them the “team to beat” ahead of the Golden State Warriors.
They are very tough to guard as it is with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and others, but adding another double-digit scoring threat, who is also one of the league’s best three-point shooters this season, could make this team even more deadly.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Interested In Trade For Rockets’ Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon has played a key role on multiple championship contending teams through the years and he does have a relationship already with Chris Paul, who spent two seasons with the Houston Rockets when they were a contending playoff team.
Financially, this is a risk for the Phoenix Suns to take, but at the expense of three bench players and some second-round picks, they can add a high-impact “sixth-man-like” talent.
