An Eric Gordon trade to the Dallas Mavericks 

This is the final fake Eric Gordon trade to kick off the start of NBA trade season. In previous articles, we sent Gordon to the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Each trade netted the Houston Rockets a different type of return, but the overall value was the same. Gordon’s trade value is limited, and landing a first-round pick will be difficult unless the Rockets also take on a bad contract. 

The issue is not that Gordon’s talent and impact don’t warrant a first-round pick. It’s that sending out enough salary to match the $19.5 million he is owed this season means real talent is headed back to Houston. If the Rockets want to maximize their draft pick compensation for Gordon, the best route is to take on a bad contract, and that’s what brings us to the Dallas Mavericks. 

The Dallas Mavericks need Eric Gordon

The Dallas Mavericks need another ball handler more than any other team in the league. The offensive burden Luka Doncic is shouldering is frankly absurd, but it doesn’t stop there. The Mavericks are relying on Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie to shoulder nearly 70% of the team’s total touch length. No other team is anywhere near as reliant on two players to shoulder so much time on the ball. 

Eric Gordon isn’t an elite on-ball creator, but he is capable of handling the rock and taking some of the massive ball-handling pressure off of Doncic and Dinwiddie. That alone makes Gordon a worthy trade target, but his elite ability to space the floor also makes him a perfect fit next to Doncic and Dinwiddie when they inevitably have the ball. 

This may sound like hyperbole, but Eric Gordon is quite possibly the best trade target for the Dallas Mavericks if they want to maximize their chances this season. The list of available players who can ease the ball-handling responsibilities for Doncic and Dinwiddie and also provide off-ball support is incredibly short. Outside of Seth Curry suddenly becoming available, Gordon is likely Dallas’ best option.