Whenever a productive NBA veteran finds themselves on a rebuilding team, divorce becomes a likely outcome.

There may not be a dire need to move them. Veterans are useful to rebuilding teams for the mentorship they offer developing players. With that said, typically it’s not worth paying a player $19.5 million dollars to fill that role.

That’s how much Eric Gordon will make in 2022-23. Whether his current Houston Rockets are the ones giving it to him or not is to be determined.

Reports have suggested that the Rockets declined offers that included a first-round pick already. They may value Gordon’s presence in the locker room as much as anything else.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Phoenix Suns Among Trade Suitors For Houston Rockets’ Eric Gordon

Still, he’s got enough left in the tank to contribute to a winning cause.

He just doesn’t have enough left to wait for the Rockets to be in a position to fight one. Here’s a trade that lands him with the contending Phoenix Suns.