The Pacers are looking for a player who can contribute right away and are willing to trade the 13th pick in this year’s draft for veteran help, according to J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star (hat tip to RocketsWire). A source tells Michael that Indiana talked to the Rockets about a possible deal.
Michael adds that the Pacers want somebody who is under contract for at least two more years, which suggests Eric Gordon is a target in any deal with Houston. Gordon will make $18.2MM in the upcoming season and $19.6MM in 2022/23, along with a non-guaranteed $20.9MM for the 2023/24 season.
The Rockets are rebuilding after posting the league’s worst record and would welcome another lottery selection. They own three picks in the upcoming draft and may be willing to send No. 23 or 24 to Indiana in the deal.
Gordon, 32, is an Indiana native and played college basketball at the University of Indiana. Injuries limited him to 27 games this season, but he was still productive when he was on the court, averaging 17.8 points and 2.6 assists in about 29 minutes per night.
The Pacers would have to match salary in any deal, and Ben DuBose of RocketsWire notes that Jeremy Lamb, who has a $10.5MM expiring contract, would be a good start. The Rockets originally drafted Lamb in 2012, but shipped him to Oklahoma City in the James Harden trade.
Pacers won’t take Gordon
Much ado about nothing
Gordon is a net liability. 40 mm over the next 2 guaranteed for a 32 year old guard who’s missed over half his teams’ games the past two seasons. I’d ask for the 13th pick, not give it, in any deal.
Injuries were a huge problem all over the NBA last season. How many games has Klay Thompson played over the last two years? 63 fewer than Gordon and he’s owed $122M over the next 3 seasons. Even with all the games Gordon missed this year he still averaged 17.8 PPG (his career average is only one point below that) plus he’s a good defender. So $37.8M over the next two seasons isn’t nearly as horrible as so many people here make it out to be.
And it could very easily be a pick swap, Houston has picks #23 and #24 and they’re not going to need four first round picks. So they would send one of those back to the Pacers.
These are all excellent points.
KT has nothing to do with Gordon; although, KT’s age and injury history would also be relevant to his current market value. I certainly wouldn’t trade for KT as though he was going to be the same player he was before the injury.
Gordon’s contract is not horrific, true, but there’s no way its not generally a liability. If HOU can use Gordon to swap up to 13 from 23, without taking back $$ beyond next year, then HOU should do the deal in a second. I don’t think there’s another team out there that would give up that 10 spots of draft value for the privilege of paying Gordon.
Pacers would propose something like this
Wood for Lamb, 24 years old Holiday and 13
Lol
Eric Gordon and 24 for Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and 13 seems like an okay deal.
Gordon is overpaid, but not THAT bad a deal. And going back home could be an extra motivator for him. For the Rockets, one of Lamb or Holiday could replace Gordon for less money and the other could be flipped elsewhere or kept as a veteran depth piece.
You’re not getting Lamb(which we’d practically give away) , Justin Holiday and #13 for Gordon and 24!!
Justin Holiday is a super wing player and a great defensive player signed to a very team friendly contract that any team would want!
We’d give you AARON Holiday, Lamb and 13 for Gordon and #24… final answer!! lol
I’d still take it.
If I am Houston, I would happily take that instead. In fact, I would prefer it. Aaron Holiday makes less money and is a lot younger. Justin Holiday really does nothing for them. I only included him as salary ballast.
No lol lamb and holiday are bad you’re basically trading wood for pick 13
Justin Holiday bad?
Where did you learn basketball fundamentals, in Houston?
Where would they put Myles Turner?
The deal must include JTate, who would be like Stephenson used to be… To be worth the #13 and taking Gordon and giving up Lamb + (JHoliday or AHoliday and Sumner).
Tate + Gordon for
#13 + Lamb + AHoliday + Sumner
Houston saves money, tries out players.
Gordon & Wood always injured. Just don’t be dumb, keep your pick and it might lead to something special just like when you missed out on Kawhi!
Or it could lead to something un-special like when they drafted TJ Leaf. Very few mid first round picks turn into Kawhi Leonard.
If the Pacers are going to trade for Gordon, they might as well see if they can swoop on Bledsoe too, while they’re at it.
Love the idea of Hou or OKC picking up these early picks if possible this year –
if 13 and 10 are available, Go get um
OKC takes the other Eric Bledsoe w 10 from Pelicans for their 35 this year and 2 future 2nds (1 being their own (likely good one 22 ) I could possibly be persuaded to just give Pelicans back Phx first next year which should be late….That 10 picks a huge boon but maybe you can hold Pelicans over barrell based on helping their ledger- 4 picks top 18 for OKC
6- Barnes (hopefully!)
10-Moody or Giddey
16- Garuba or Sengun
18-Zaihre Willams !
Lotta athleticism, ton of D, some shooting, great length …..they got time to find some guards/backcourt later —
Are these guys better than Reddish?
If something does come of this; Jeremy Lamb, Aaron Holiday, Edmond Sumner and 13 for Gordon and 23.
PJ Tucker netted a first, and is playing big minutes for the Bucks, at the deadline from the Bucks in a pick swap. Believe me, Gordon and the 24th pick is well worth the 13th pick and salary coming back to Houston. You’re not getting Tate, Martin, Wood, or In any deal that doesn’t include a top 5 pick.
The Gordon contract is a minus. Two years left on it.