If a 32-year-old defender with an annual salary of less than 17 million and averaged 17+2+2 per game last season, the ratio of this player's contract to contribution is still very reasonable. After all, at the moment when the 30-40 million contract is rampant, a player who averaged 17+2 per game with only 17 million annual salary is already very rare, but for the Houston Rockets, such a player But it is very difficult to sell.
The player we are going to talk about is the last witness of that powerful Rockets-Eric Gordon. The 32-year-old Gordon once led the team with Harden, Capella and Paul into the Western Conference Finals, but was eliminated by the Warriors 3-4. After that, Gordon’s condition has been very stable. The problem is that Gordon is often injured. Whether it is in the regular season or the playoffs, Gordon’s injuries always come untimely. Even in the last 3 years, Gordon has almost always The season has to take a truce for at least a month or so to recover from injuries.
last season even more so. Gordon played only 27 games for the Rockets last season, averaging 17.8 points, 2.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds, shooting 43.3% from the field and 32.9% from the three-point range. If Gordon can stay healthy and a few years younger, such data performance and annual salary level, there will definitely be many teams asking for prices. But now? The Rockets do not want to send Gordon away, but there is really no team willing to take over him.
Gordon, who renewed his contract in 2019, will earn as much as 20.9 million in 2023 two years later. But looking at Gordon’s attendance rate last season, it’s really unsightly To hope. It is also because of age and frequent injuries,Let NBA other teams lack interest in Gordon. Even if Gordon is a "Rocket veteran", but compared to the tough guy Tucker and superstar Harden, Gordon's price-performance ratio is high, and he can't stand the frequent injuries that affect attendance.
Even in the opinion of NBA reporter Zach Allen, the star guard who scored 50 points against the Jazz has become a "negative asset" for the Rockets.
If in the 2017-2018 season, maybe Gordon will be very popular, but now? If the Rockets want to send Gordon away, in addition to picking up the draft, they may also need to pick up potential newcomers. This was something the Rockets could not accept, and it caused Gordon to remain in the Rockets to compete with young players until now.
Zach Allen suggested that the Rockets trade Gordon to free up more playing time for young shooting guards Christopher and Brooks.
But he believes that Rockets may send away Gordon before the mid-season trade deadline or around All-Star weekend, because by then, Gordon’s contract for the next season Most of the salary has been paid by the Rockets. In this way, Gordon, who has a "half-price" salary, may be more able to attract the attention of some competing teams. Last season, the Rockets traded Tucker this way. If Gordon can repeat this trading method, it will naturally be a win-win trade for the three parties.
The Rockets sent Gordon away, young players increased their playing time; Gordon himself can also play for the championship team,And Gordon’s new club can also get a former best sixth man with an average of 17+2 per game.
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