Eric Gordon – Houston Rockets
Adding another high-level talent and borderline star in Jerami Grant is not feasible for the Los Angeles Lakers right now, but adding an experienced veteran in Eric Gordon, who is contributing in Houston at a high-level this season, is very feasible.
Now in his 14th NBA season, Eric Gordon has been having a great comeback season with the rebuilding Rockets and has been one of their more reliable offensive weapons.
After playing in just 27 games last season due to injuries, Gordon has already played in 38 games with the Rockets this season, averaging 14.9 points, 3.3 assists and shooting career-highs from the floor (50.5%) and three-point range (45.5%).
His 3.3 assists per game are the highest of Eric Gordon’s career since he averaged 3.8 assists per game with the Pelicans during the 2014-15 season and his 45.5% three-point shooting percentage is currently second in the entire NBA.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Frank Vogel Could Get Fired By Lakers If Struggles Continue
Not only being an impact offensive player, Eric Gordon has always been known to be an intelligent and impactful perimeter defender as well. This is the kind of player the Lakers need right now on the wing and given his experience playing with James Harden and other stars in Houston over the years, Gordon should fit right in next to LeBron, AD and Westbrook.
Again though, there could be some complications for the Lakers in terms of getting a trade done. Eric Gordon is owed $18.2M this season, $19.5M next season and then the $20.9M he is owed during the 2023-24 season is non-guaranteed.
The Lakers would definitely have a hard time bringing in this kind of contract, but the same package they would offer Detroit for Jerami Grant applies here. Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and someone like DeAndre Jordan would add up to about $17.1M in salaries this season, giving the Lakers a chance to acquire Eric Gordon from Houston.
While they are open to hearing offers for Gordon, the Rockets reportedly could hold onto the veteran through the NBA trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Houston is not prepared to try and “dump” Eric Gordon at the trade deadline and they will be searching for value in any trade package involving him.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Frank Vogel Could Get Fired By Lakers If Struggles Continue
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote recently that Houston is seeking a first-round pick in trade talks for the veteran scoring guard and several playoff contending teams are targeting him.
Should Los Angeles have real interest in trading for Eric Gordon, they could run into similar problems to that of a Jerami Grant trade in the sense that other teams can offer better assets than the Lakers can.
Gordon could certainly make a difference though in Los Angeles given his “3-and-D” nature of play at the shooting guard position.
