After a statement win on Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, things are looking pretty good for the Houston Rockets. The team is 19-9 on the season and one game behind the two seed in the Western Conference.
However, while the team is playing strong as a whole, nothing is perfect. With the trade deadline approaching, there are a few pieces that Houston could move to try and improve the team. With that said, one piece sticks out in my mind: Eric Gordon.
Gordon has been excellent in his three-plus years as Rocket. That's exactly why the team signed the shooting guard to a four-year, $76 million contract extension this August that'll keep the 2017 Sixth Man of the Year in Houston until 2024.
This year however, Gordon has under performed. For one, the 6-foot-3 guard has only played nine games this season. While he is expected to return from the knee surgery later this month, injuries have plagued Gordon's career since the beginning.
The former No. 7 overall pick has only played in 70 or more games twice in his 11 year career and only once since the the 2009-10 season
Not only that, but in the few games that he has played this season, Gordon has been wholly ineffective. Last season, Gordon averaged 16.2 points per game shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from deep. This season, the guard is putting up just 10.9 points per game while shooting a paltry 30.9 percent from the field.
Gordon is pretty much a pure scorer and doesn't offer much more than that. That's fine as he has filled that role well in past years. But when you have players like Russell Westbrook and James Harden already on the roster, offense shouldn't be the main concern.
The Rockets rank second in the NBA in points per game with 119.8 but just 16th in defensive rating so it's not like Gordon's offensive skills are of much need to the team. Also important is the fact that Gordon will be 31 years old on Christmas and as he ages, is slowly becoming less effective and efficient.
When healthy, Gordon still has the talent to make an impact in the league and will surely net the Rockets a pretty solid return. Not only that but other players like Danuel House, Austin Rivers and Ben McLemore have shown to be more effective options so far this season. ‘
Obviously it's hard to judge Gordon on a nine-game sample size but I just feel like the Rockets don't need the veteran guard all that much and could use him as trade bait to strengthen other areas of the team.
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