In the middle of an entertaining NBA Finals this season, the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks executed a surprising early offseason trade involving Christian Wood. On an expiring deal entering next season, the Rockets may have decided to build their frontcourt rotation around Alperen Sengun and sought-after no. 3 overall pick in the stacked 2022 Draft class.

Rockets Next Major NBA Trade

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The Rockets received a slew of players from Dallas who were all rarely inserted in their recent playoff run. It was questionable for Houston to pounce on this trade package instead of waiting it out during free agency or before the start of the regular season. As the team is heading to the offseason with Eric Gordon still with two more years on his current deal, he could be the next player likely being moved before the start of next season.

Gordon's value has been rising over the last few months because he was contributing tremendously when coach Stephen Silas was giving him viable minutes. After the departure of James Harden, Gordon had trouble searching for a consistent rhythm with the squad, but that was not the case in this current 2021-22 campaign. From December-January, Eric Gordon was a reliable double-digit scorer which opened up numerous offers from the legitimate playoff contenders but nothing serious materialized.

For a wing that relies heavily on his outside and long-range shooting prowess, Eric Gordon's trade value could easily plummet at the start of next year. Gordon will receive $19 million next season and then $20 million for 2022-23, which is a movable deal for a team like the Milwaukee Bucks or Memphis Grizzlies who are in dire need of three-point shooters on their roster. Furthermore, Gordon will also provide an admirable locker room presence to the youthful young guns from franchises like the Grizzlies or New Orleans Pelicans.

On the Rockets side of things, the aforementioned market value of Eric Gordon is possibly at its ceiling right now. The organization is heading toward the direction of building its future around the nucleus of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, and the no. 3 overall pick. Thus, letting go of Gordon opens up more minutes and touches for these players and possibly receiving a substantial package that would fit better to the timeline of the Rockets core.

Houston's wing depth could still possibly be formidable with the composition of Josh Christopher, Garrison Matthews, and Jae'Sean Tate. These three forwards are nearer to the timeline of Green, Porter Jr., and the rest of the crew as Gordon is already 33 years old. The package Houston could demand in exchange for Gordon could revolve around a budding 3-and-D wing along with future draft capital that would further enhance the upside of the team.

As one of the highest-paid individuals in the association, one could argue that John Wall must be the priority in swinging a deal in the offseason. However, his play has been non-existent for the last two years because he has been riding the bench for the majority of that juncture. On the other hand, Gordon has continually been suiting up when he is 100% healthy and the Rockets' trade partners would be more intrigued with what he could bring to the table.

With the retooling of their roster beginning already, the Houston Rockets fans continue being patient and wait for a couple of more years for their team to start being a perennial Western Conference contender.