Why Eric Gordon is the participant we wish moved probably the most on the NBA commerce deadline

Lastly! Monday marked the primary commerce of the 2022-2023 NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers despatched three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards in change for four-year professional, Rui Hachimura. The commerce sparked pleasure among the many NBA group, as followers and analysts alike marvel what strikes might be made throughout commerce season. Will groups be content material with swapping picks to construct their depth, or will there be a big-name participant moved who might shake up the fantasy panorama?

Solely time will inform, however one factor is for certain: The drama by no means stops with the NBA, and there are probably extra adjustments on the best way. As a lot as I would like to say I do know what is going on to occur, I do not, however I am going to fortunately manifest a situation that may be nice for fantasy functions.

Eric Gordon will get traded from the Houston Rockets

The Rockets have a ton of expertise up and down their roster, however their management is past questionable. The truth that Alperen Sengun was truly competing with Bruno Fernando for minutes earlier within the season was a joke. And for some motive, Eric Gordon is averaging practically half-hour an evening this yr whereas enjoying for a group sporting the worst file within the NBA.

Do not get me unsuitable; It is invaluable to have a veteran presence within the locker room, particularly round younger gamers. And it additionally is smart to present him sufficient minutes to extend his worth out there, however the Rockets have been out of rivalry for some time, and it is been time to maneuver on.

The issue with transferring Gordon is, in keeping with Yahoo Sports activities NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Rockets want a first-round pick in exchange for the 34-year-old, 15-year pro. Whereas that will appear a bit wealthy, he has a fascinating contract that may come off the books after this season. Plus, he isn’t washed — he is nonetheless a knockdown three-point shooter and a good perimeter defender. So the Rockets can both lengthen him to a long-term deal or ship him packing.

One resolution is cheaper than the opposite, and given the depth on the Rockets roster, buying and selling him could be one of the best situation assuming their rebuild does not take a detour whereas luring in James Harden again to H-City.

Gordon ranks 241st this season and is rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues by way of Tuesday. He is a dart throw and random stream at finest — and he is blocking a participant who could be a must-add, viable asset in 9-cat codecs proper now.

I wish to see Gordon traded in order that NBA rookie and Summer time League phenom, Tari Eason, can lastly showcase his potential. I favor him over KJ Martin as a result of Eason has the next fantasy ceiling and the entire elements to develop into a wonderful fantasy participant.

Listed here are his per-36 numbers by way of Sunday: 15.4 factors, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 threes, 2.0 steals, 1.0 block and 1.8 turnovers with 43/79/38 taking pictures splits. Eason would simply be a top-50 participant if he put up these numbers in 9-cat leagues. He’s tenacious defensively however can be second on the group in second-chance factors regardless of solely enjoying 18 minutes per recreation by making routine hustle performs like this:

And that is what’s irritating about this example is that Rockets HC Stephen Silas would reasonably lean into Gordon (who’s finished greater than sufficient to show himself) than give a promising younger participant important minutes (except there’s an harm). It is baffling that even with Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. out for yesterday’s contest, Eason did not play half-hour. However he had one in all his finest video games of the yr, falling simply shy of a double-double with 5 shares in 26 minutes. The child is a beast.

And it is much more ridiculous that he hasn’t performed greater than half-hour in a recreation all season! Regardless of Stephen Silas’ maddening teaching choices, he not less than acknowledged Eason’s affect in Monday’s win over the Timberwolves:

And perhaps I am too fast to imagine {that a} Gordon commerce could be a direct profit to Eason — as beforehand talked about, KJ Martin’s function would additionally develop.

Martin’s logged 83% of his minutes at SF this season, which is probably the most on the group behind Gordon. Nevertheless, Eason registered 7% of his minutes at SF, so Eason might nonetheless eat no matter Martin selecting up extra minutes. And who is aware of, Martin can be on a team-friendly deal, so maybe he might be a commerce chip to dangle. Though, if Monday was any glimpse into Eason’s upside, fantasy managers must be stashing Eason (19% rostered in Yahoo leagues) proper now earlier than a commerce probably goes down.

What I am saying is, Eason has league-winner potential ought to Eric Gordon be dealt by February 9.