4 players the Rockets should move at the deadline

4. Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon

The 2019-20 NBA season wasn’t kind to Eric Gordon, as he battled injuries, which caused him to play below his normal standards. Gordon tried to play through his lingering knee injury but was shut down after the Rockets’ 10th game of the season.

Gordon would go on to miss 22 consecutive games due to knee surgery and struggled upon returning, finishing the season with 14.4 points on 31.7 percent from long-range and 51 percent true shooting, the latter of which being career lows. Gordon’s postseason was also not one to remember, as he averaged 17.3 points, albeit on 40.9 percent from the floor and 32.2 percent from deep, including 53.7 percent true shooting.

Gordon, of course, did remind the Utah Jazz of his ability to get hot offensively, as he dropped 50 points in Salt Lake City, lifting the Rockets to a victory without James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Gordon’s 2020-21 season has gotten off to a scorching start, as he’s averaged 18 points per contest, which ties his Houston Rockets career mark. Gordon has made 46.2 percent of his field goal attempts, which is also a career-best, and has posted a true shooting percentage of 60.3 percent, making it the first time he’s topped that mark.

Gordon has had a player efficiency rating of 16.9, which is also a career-best, while playing 28.6 minutes, his second fewest of his career. Gordon led the Rockets in scoring in the following consecutive games:

• Phoenix Suns-22 points
• Detroit Pistons-20 points
• Dallas Mavericks-33 points (season-high)

Gordon’s value is back up after a dismal 2019-20 season, but his newly signed extension could force the Rockets to attach a draft pick to deal him, as he’s under contract through 2023 and the annual value goes from $16 million this season to $18 million next season to $19.5 million in 2022-23.

With Gordon’s contract, the Rockets would be wise to do whatever they deem necessary to be freed from his deal and with his bounce-back season, he figures to have suitors.

Next: No. 3