Suns, Cavs, Pelicans Reach Out To Rockets On Eric Gordon

The Suns are among the teams with an interest in trading for available Rockets guard Eric Gordon, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

The Cavaliers and Pelicans have also placed calls on Gordon, though the asking price appears to be too high for Cleveland at the moment.

While the Cavs floated two second-round picks, “the Rockets believe they can get a first-rounder for Gordon,” Fischer reported. We relayed similar information on Gordon earlier this week right here.

As for the Suns, Gordon fits the mold of veteran bench scorer supposedly coveted by the defending Western Conference champions.

“Phoenix has been shopping Dario Saric and his $8.5 million contract in trade talks,” RealGM noted. “Saric is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his ACL in Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals. The Suns see him, and his contract, as a no-production-lost way of upgrading their rotation.”

Gordon, 33, is 6-foot-3 and having a nice season, offering a positive voice on an otherwise young and rebuilding outfit. He’s averaging 14.3 points and 3.2 assists in 43 games, and is due to earn $18.2 million this season and $19.5 next. So if the Rockets do move him, they’ll have to take back some salary.

“Of note with Gordon here: The veteran guard’s contract becomes fully guaranteed for 2023-24 if his team wins the championship and Gordon reaches a minutes requirement,” Fischer wrote.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans appear to be aggressively approaching the Feb. 10 trade deadline looking top bring in a veteran or two — with the idea being to set themselves up to win more once Zion Williamson finally returns.

Gordon insisted he is staying focused through it all.

“I’m not even thinking or worried about (the trade rumors),” he recently told reporters. “Things happen. Get traded or not, you’ve still got to play the game of basketball.

“Fortunately, I’ve been here for going on six years now, and it’s been really good. I know the situation I’m in. I’m looking to just continue to play my game and look forward to continue to thrive with this group of guys.”