The Sixers are making an effort to acquire guard Eric Gordon from the Rockets, league sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
As Pompey outlines, the 76ers are dangling defensive standout Matisse Thybulle in their talks for Gordon and are looking to involve a third team. According to Pompey, the Trail Blazers have interest in making a straight-up trade for Thybulle, but Philadelphia wants to turn it into a three-team deal in order to land Gordon (Twitter link).
There are some missing details here, including which other players the Sixers would send out in such a trade — even fully guaranteeing Danny Green‘s $10MM contract for 2022/23 and attaching him to Thybulle wouldn’t quite get the team into salary-matching range for Gordon, who will earn $19.6MM next season. But presumably the 76ers’ thinking is that if there’s a team willing to give up a first-round pick for Thybulle, that selection could be rerouted to Houston for Gordon.
The Sixers’ interest in Gordon was first reported by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst earlier this week. Gordon and P.J. Tucker have been the targets most frequently linked to Philadelphia in recent days, which perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that both veterans played key roles on Daryl Morey‘s most successful squads in Houston.
If they can land Gordon, the Sixers would secure a solid outside shooter and ball-handler who can hold his own and handle switches on defense. The Suns are among the other teams said to have interest in the 33-year-old.
The Blazers, meanwhile, are known to be in the market for strong wing defenders, even after agreeing to acquire Jerami Grant from Detroit. Portland has been connected to players like OG Anunoby and Luguentz Dort, but the asking price for Thybulle would likely be more reasonable.
It’s a mistake to trade thybulle. Defense is hard to come by in the modern nba
Desperate to fill the shooting missed by Curry. I’m with you. I’d rather have Thybulle and see about maybe getting J. Harris or D.Robinson, maybe even L. Kennard
Solves two problems. Gordon is an excellent defender and he can shoot.
For now. He’s turning 34 this year and has an extensive injury history.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t do it but I’d be a little hesitant in the hopes of getting something better vs a more expensive rental.
Portland should have plenty of young talent that Houston would want, Greg Brown, Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson to name a few
My valuation equation:
Thybulle is equal to 31st and 35th pick today.
Expiring contract is a risk
Danny Green and Keon Johnson and filler to Rockets, I think.
If the sixers don’t want to pay Thybulle, trading him makes sense. But Gordon isn’t the answer
Morey going overboard trying to sign his old players. Next he’ll want Patrick Beverly
I wonder what Portland would give up for Thybulle, since #7, Hart or even a pick swap seems way too much and their future first are tied up with the Bulls
I don’t really see how Portland could be involved with this trade and why doesn’t Philly just send out pick 23 for Gordon?
That makes senses, but it’s hard to match Gordon’s salary and still use the full MLE, unless there’s a Tobias Harris trade that saves money this year.
Thybulle is useless offensively, foul prone and hurt his team unvaccinated. Love this move for the Sixers if the mad genius morey can pull it off.
You love what move? There is nothing here.
Gordon 5 years ago, NOT NOW !
So is Morey just trying to bring his old Rockets band to Philly?