Ever since the Rockets traded James Harden to Brooklyn in January 2021, veteran guard Eric Gordon hasn’t been in age alignment with the ongoing rebuilding movement in Houston.
Now, after years of rumors, a trade has finally reached the finish line. Gordon, now 34 years old, is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal also involving the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Throughout six-and-a-half seasons, Eric did everything we asked of him and more, both on the court and in the community,” said general manager Rafael Stone. “We wish him nothing but the best and want him to know he’ll always have a home here in Houston.”
Though the Rockets acquired veterans Danny Green (from Memphis) and John Wall (from the Clippers) in the trade for salary matching purposes, both could be quickly waived, and neither was the primary incentive for the deal. The incentive was a 2023 first-round swap right acquired from the Clippers, which allows them to move up from the Milwaukee pick that Houston owns (currently at No. 28 in the order) to the Los Angeles selection (currently at No. 18 overall).
As for Gordon, the 2022-23 season was his seventh with the Rockets, where he was by far Houston’s longest-tenured player. In seven seasons with the franchise, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year averaged 15.7 points (36.0% on 3-pointers) and 2.3 assists in 30.4 minutes while providing steady and capable defense, as well.
Most importantly, he routinely improved his play in the playoffs, where the Rockets consistently found themselves during Gordon’s first four seasons with the team. Postseason performance is no longer a relevant variable in Houston, given the youth movement, but it does explain his appeal to a likely playoff team, such as the Clippers.
Here’s a look at how fans and media members responded to the trade agreement in real-time, along with early analysis of the deal.
FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Clippers receive:
Eric Gordon
THREE second-round picksRockets receive:
John Wall (will be waived)
Danny Green
Pick swapGrizzlies receive:
Luke KennardOh my. pic.twitter.com/rin9XZnXPs
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 9, 2023
The Rockets will get rights to swap Bucks’ pick with Clippers this year as part of this deal, per source. https://t.co/41RrVWfBa3
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 9, 2023
According to an NBA source it is “likely” the Rockets will buy out John Wall. https://t.co/H9yLVeulnR
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 9, 2023
The Rockets will acquire John Wall in the three-team deal with the Clippers and Grizzlies in which they plan to waive the guard, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
So the #Rockets trade Eric Gordon as part of a multi-team deal and get swap rights on the Clippers 2023 pick.
Basically moves that Bucks pick up 10-12 spots.
Fantastic move.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 9, 2023
I like this! As it stands today, with approximately 25 games left, this would move you from 28 to 18 in the first-round order. That's a big deal https://t.co/AZQEgLX4UK
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 9, 2023
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently 1 game out of the play-in and have the SECOND hardest schedule remaining.
There is a world where Rafael Stone just traded for a Lottery pick. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/sorS40Eyxq
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) February 9, 2023
Brutal. John Wall is about to get bought out by the Rockets twice in six months. https://t.co/MjaLW7nJ5Q
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 9, 2023
The Tank Commander is back! https://t.co/wJidS9dJPW
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 9, 2023
Even if the jump ends up being closer to 5-6 draft spots, I like that value for Gordon much better than two bad second rounders.
Similar to the PJ Tucker trade Houston executed in the first year of their rebuild.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 9, 2023
Farewell to @TheofficialEG10 who hit some of the biggest shots in #Rockets history. Played a huge role in bringing PJ Tucker to Houston and was an enormous connecting piece throughout the Harden era and beyond. I wish we won a title with EG in Houston. Best of luck in LA, sir.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 9, 2023
Last year 19 was traded for 22+29. If this swap stays about where it is the rockets got early/mid 1st value for EG after all. Wow.
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) February 9, 2023
Finally, Eric Gordon has been traded.
He was a key part of Rockets when they were at their WCF peak with Harden and CP3.
He’s the last to turn out the lights as rebuilding Rockets dream of No. 1 pick and a big summer. https://t.co/fvvykBQxz1— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) February 9, 2023
1. The #Rockets swapping the Bucks FRP for the Clippers FRP makes it a much more attractive asset to use in future trade talks
2. And turning Bruno Fernando and Garrison Mathews into 2 SRPs is an excellent move at the margins
Good work by Houston’s front office.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 9, 2023
Okay so Houston gets the salary filler they targeted for Gordon (expirings).
Curious what the draft compensation is. https://t.co/YQXGG5YbB8
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 9, 2023
I’m sure the #Rockets will release John Wall but it’s freaking hilarious that after he dumped all over the organization, he’s being brought back in a trade.
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) February 9, 2023
Been saying for months this was an avenue I could see the Rockets taking if they couldn't get a FRP outright https://t.co/7eiYhGLfxg
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) February 9, 2023
Eric Gordon is probably doing backflips at the moment. He has wanted out badly for a while and feared he was stuck. https://t.co/54Z2RtDVnl
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 9, 2023
So long to one of the best free agent signings the Rockets ever had. Congrats on getting to a winning situation and thanks for the memories! Forever a legend in Houston. https://t.co/2BKsIPgsi4 pic.twitter.com/EbZ9TijNyt
— Apollo NBA (@ApolloNBA) February 9, 2023
This is all time
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) February 9, 2023
The last piece of the Harden era is gone.
We ride into the new. pic.twitter.com/jHAyGvOikG
— Houston’s Very Own (@YoItsKenneth) February 9, 2023
IT HAPPENED!
Eric Gordon will finally play meaningful basketball again. And we can all stop hearing about Eric Gordon being on the trading block. https://t.co/Uj9dzJj5vJ
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 9, 2023
Gordon headed back to the Clippers – the team that drafted him 7th overall in 2008. https://t.co/pSMxHY8R8n
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) February 9, 2023
Wow. End of an era https://t.co/Lu6G6ykKqK
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 9, 2023
KJ Martin is likely now the #Rockets permanent starting small forward for the rest of the season.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 9, 2023
Update: The Clippers pick swap is now top-6 protected, per source. https://t.co/JUzNEg2D7M
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 9, 2023
