Houston Rockets Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn, F Stanley Johnson, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Eric Gordon

Arguably, another reason for the increase in player movement is the trend toward viewing draft capital as currency.

Throughout NBA history, draft picks have been traded. It’s just becoming an increasingly trendy means of brokering deals. Take this trade for example. In essence, the Rockets are trading Gordon for a first-round pick.

The players they’re receiving in turn are largely in the deal for salary matching purposes. Fairly or not, players like Stanley Johnson don’t typically have much say in where they play professional basketball. The player empowerment movement primarily extends to the stars.

With that said, there remains a human element in NBA transactions. In all likelihood, the Rockets would like to trade Gordon to a team that’s in contention for the NBA championship.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Lakers & Houston Rockets Updates

As currently constructed, the Lakers probably don’t qualify. Does adding Gordon get them close enough to the finish line?