Houston Rockets: Top-8 Rockets ranked by trade value

Houston Rocket trade value #7: Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon experienced a bit of a resurgence in 2020-21 but due to a groin injury, he only featured in 27 games. He’ll turn 33 next season and still has two more years left on his deal before a non-guaranteed third year.

At $18.2 million this upcoming season and $19.5 million in 2022-23, the appetite for Gordon’s services will be muted as most contenders have maxed out their salary cap space or are hoarding it for a bonafide superstar. Gordon’s play has been in decline the past few seasons and his 3-point shot, once his calling card, has been absent the past two seasons.

The only reason Gordon ranks higher than Wall is that there are more teams capable of taking on his salary and if he regains his 3-point shooting stroke then he could be valuable depth at the guard position. Gordon doesn’t need to be the center of a team’s offense which makes him a fit for more teams but once again, there are plenty of cheaper, younger, and better options out there.

Last season Gordon produced 0.3 VORP, which put him at a 0.9 VORP over the course of 82 games. Production like that places a player around the 100th best player in the league and Gordon is set to be 58th highest-paid player next season.

The Rockets should be happy to take a second-round pick for Gordon if someone offers it. In NBA terms, that’s essentially a giveaway as second-round picks hardly ever make a dent in the league, although Nikola Jokic would argue with that train of thought.

If no one comes for Gordon then the Rockets will likely wait out his deal and cut him in advance of the 2023-24 season when his salary is not guaranteed. There was a time when Gordon was crucial to the Rockets’ title aspirations, but, unfortunately, those days are long gone.

Next: Trade value #6