Rockets turned down first-round pick offers for Eric Gordon

That is probably not what you want. Be curious to know how accurate that is

 

True but I feel like the whole reason where getting rid of Gordon is to free up some cap since he has the second highest contract on the team. Personally I feel you can never have to many picks when rebuilding, especially when you don’t have a star and may want to potentially move up in the draft or as you said make a deal for another star or borderline star. And this team is young but we would have cap to sign other vets to cheaper deals.

 

True but I feel like one of the main reasons we would trade Gordon would be to free up some cap since he has the second highest contract on the team. Trading Gordon would help give us extra cap space to sign other vets to cheaper deals. And honestly I feel you can never have too many picks when rebuilding, especially when you don’t have a clear cut star and may want to potentially move up in the draft or as you said make a deal for another star or borderline star. Also you don’t know what player can fall or drop to the Rockets in the draft or who can be a potential star after the Top 5-7 picks, it’s all about how good the Rockets scouting is. Another reason I wouldn’t be too worried about more picks and young players is because of how the G-League is used today, itsort of turned into what AAA baseball is for the the MLB, but I do see your point with getting picks in later years opposed to getting late first rounders this season considering we OKC owns our pick in 2023

 

I don't know but @Nook is pretty credible.

 

https://theathletic.com/3129037/202...-lakers-and-thunder-hollingers-week-that-was/

Several other long-rumored “on the move” players did not. In terms of prominent players, there were three notable non-moves: Harrison Barnes, Eric Gordon and Jerami Grant. While there’s an undercurrent of thought that their respective teams overplayed their hands, I suspect two bigger culprits were at play here:

• A lot of contending or quasi-contending teams didn’t have the ability to trade a 2022 first-round pick last week (a list that includes the Nets, Bulls, Mavs, Nuggets, Jazz, Clippers, Lakers, Bucks and Suns) due to the Stepien Rule and their previous all-in trades that surrendered first-rounders, and
• It’s just much easier to negotiate deals for first-round picks, especially multiple first-round picks, when the draft spot being traded is a known quantity — as it will be in June. While it’s true Boston was able to sidestep this problem in its deal for Derrick White, I can assure you the uncertainty of where picks may land is a major impediment to getting deals involving plus starters to the finish line at this time of year.

I would be shocked, like absolutely floored, if Gordon isn’t traded on draft night for a pick in the 20s. Grant and Barnes are a bit trickier, as the Pistons and Kings, respectively, could opt to extend them this offseason, and the Kings likely will be trying to win next season. However, for each, the formulation (bad contract + known 2022 first + maybe other picks in the future) offers more certainty and thus seems more workable in June than February.

The other twist on this tale comes from the opposite side, where some teams will have additional capital to trade in February. Teams such as Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver and Dallas, for instance, couldn’t trade a 2022 first last week but will be able to on draft night.

[…]

(While we’re here: That Theis deal. Woof. I should have hammered this more on Friday, but there was a lot to unpack. This is Boston painting itself right back into the corner it just dug out of, for the eleventy-seventh consecutive year. The Celtics need to realize they can’t pay backup centers midlevel exception money when they have two max wing players and don’t want to pay the tax; I thought we established this lesson during the Tristan Thompson era, but I guess not.)

 

On the surface, that would seem to be true. But a team that is already stocked with rookies/developing talent like the Rockets, one wonders if there is enough minutes to see them all sufficiently?

We already have this problem and we got two picks coming on top of it.

OKC has had plenty of picks and where has it gotten them? More picks.

 

Hollinger better get used to the smell of hardwood because he will be floored when Gordon isn't traded on draft night. The calculus is simple: a team that would like to have Eric Gordon on its roster is one that feels like they're pretty damn close to at least the Conference Finals and need backcourt help. That in and of itself eliminates a good amount of teams. If we take a look at fivethirtyeight's playoff odds as of today, looking at only the team with a 90% or higher chance of making the playoffs that leaves us with:

Phoenix
Golden State
Memphis
Utah
Miami
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Denver
Boston
Dallas
Chicago
Cleveland
Minnesota

Of those teams you can remove the teams that have a less than 10% chance of making the finals this year, getting you to:

Phoenix
Golden State
Memphis
Utah
Miami
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Denver
Boston

Of those 9 remaining teams, if Stone decides in June to accept a 2022 1st for Gordon (instead of a draft pick further down the timeline) only these teams in bold have control over a pick in this upcoming draft. Four teams in total but due to the Stepien rule Denver and Milwaukee might not be able to send their 2022 pick because of previous obligations surrounding their 2023 pick. If that holds true you are now down to Memphis and Golden State, both teams who are pretty deep at the wing/guard position that can't really afford to add an $18 million role player to the roster without paying (or paying more) luxury tax.

What about the teams that have less than a 10% chance of making it to the finals?

Dallas: Dallas owes its 2023 pick to New York so it shouldn't be able to trade its 2022
Chicago: Chicago owes its 2023 pick to Orlando so it shouldn't be able to trade its 2022
Cleveland: Cleveland traded its 2022 pick for LeVert
Minnesota: possible

So Minnesota has the requisite 2022 1st in this hypothetical scenario and, as of right now, will have about $15 million in salary cap if they renounce the rights to all of their upcoming free agents, including Beverley, Taurean Prince, Okogie, etc. Something like taking back Beasley and his $15 million a year deal plus the 2022 1st would work. But if the Wolves have cap space, tradeable players and their own draft pick....I would assume they'd aim a bit higher than Eric Gordon.

 

To be fair the Thunder hasn't had a top 3 pick materialize yet. The highest pick they've had in the past 3 years was last summer a #6 with Giddey. The first pick they should have been able to use from the Chris Paul trade went back to Houston so they haven't been able to reap the rewards from that transaction yet. This year they potentially have 3 1st picks--their own 1st, Phoenix's 1st (top 12 protected), and LA Clippers' 1st. Given where every team is at it looks like they'll maybe have 4th (OKC), 15th (Clippers), 30th (Phoenix). Maybe Presti will get ballsy and trade a couple or all of those picks for a top 2.

 

If the trade takes place at or just after the 2022 draft, the Stepien Rule won’t matter. The team could select a player FOR the Rockets and execute the trade immediately afterwards. That way, the pick wouldn’t be subject to the Stepien Rule.

 

Stone wanna turn the NBA business into NBA charity.

 

I’m guessing you didn’t read my other post that I posted after this one, but the reason I’m not worried about too many picks and young players is because of the G-League, it’s basically turned into what AAA baseball is to the MLB. Whatever players who aren’t ready or won’t have a spot on the roster because it’s too crowded will be sent down there until they develop or until we make trades to free up a roster spot for them. And I don’t really think it’s fair to bring up OKC considering they honestly just started their full rebuild along with us last season. Remember they made it to the bubble playoffs with CP3 in 2020 and played us, which IMO kind of pushed back there rebuild. Not to mention they haven’t had a Top 3 pick in the rebuild yet like we have. Also you don’t just stockpile picks to draft them all, some of those picks you use too potentially trade and move up in the draft or use in a trade to bring in another star or borderline/up and coming star. So that’s why I personally feel you can never have to many picks, they always come in handy when it pertains to trades

 

As always, thank you for the correction!!

 

Maybe can squeeze a 1st from our dear friend DANTHONY!

 

Seeing as the Kings are wanting to compete now....absolutely. MDA!

We're definitely getting a first out of someone. #23 sounds nice.

 

he’s still available

 

The Theis comment aged poorly. While he didn’t do much positive v Bucks with Time Lord out his minutes were still most meaningful.

 

Q: has there been any credible report what the Rox would have needed to take back in order to get the #1(s) they turned down? ? ?

 

i couldn't believe it then why any team wouldn't want to give up a super late 1st to get eric gordon. the dude could have fit on ANY roster coming off the bench for extra firepower.

if the suns or bucks give up a pick they are still in the playoffs.

 

a guy who can still create his shot, play good defense, and shoot at high efficiency, plus gold star team mate is what u look for when u are making a playoff run. It still boggles my mind that Gordon is on this roster.