Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon, should he stay or should he go?

Will the Houston Rockets keep Eric Gordon?

The Rockets don’t project to be a good team next season. The roster, regardless of their draft picks, will be thin on talent and experience. However, that doesn’t mean that Gordon can’t help the team.

The best rookie from the 2020 draft, LaMelo Ball, had to earn his minutes and was surrounded by veterans in the backcourt. Forcing your prospects to earn their minutes against veterans, while also learning from them, is the best environment to see them excel.

Gordon, before his injury, was sporting the best 2-point field-goal percentage of his career and should remain an excellent bench piece that’s capable of starting at a moment’s notice. Stars and starters get all the attention but having a strong bench is what separates most teams in the standings.

Having Gordon around to tutor and compete with the Rockets’ three first-round picks and Kevin Porter Jr will create an environment where development is a must. The difference between who ends up a star and who doesn’t usually comes down to which players put in the most work after they make it to the league.

The Rockets shouldn’t be aiming for the playoffs next season but building a culture of development should remain a priority. Gordon knows what it takes to have a long and productive career and that wisdom will be invaluable for a roster that will likely be one of the youngest in the league.

Next: The Verdict