The Los Angeles Lakers should target Eric Gordon as the NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaches.
LeBron James took to Twitter yesterday evening, apologizing to Los Angeles Lakers faithful regarding the disappointing season the team has had thus far.
Currently, its record is 21-22 coming off three consecutive losses. To say it has failed to meet the championship expectations that accompanied it before the season began would be an understatement.
The franchise has attempted to right the ship through the trade market for some time now but the limited assets it possesses have made it difficult. Besides the team’s big three – LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook – the majority of its roster is composed of players being paid the minimum.
Without stating the obvious, the names of James and Davis can be crossed off the offering table, while Westbrook carries little to no value given his lucrative contract and disappointing production.
Two players beyond the big three making above the minimum are Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn.
In last week’s episode of The Hoops Collective podcast, ESPN writer Tim Bontemps suggested the Lakers try to offer the two aforementioned players in a deal for Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon.
Both from an offensive and defensive standpoint, Gordon provides an upgrade for the Lakers.
Defense is a particular area of concern, as the team has taken a precipitous fall from third in its 2019-2020 championship season to being tied for eighth last season and currently finding itself tied for 17th.
According to HoopsHype, the Rockets are seeking a first-round pick for Gordon
The Lakers do possess one first-round pick, but it would only become available for the 2027 NBA Draft. Under the NBA trade machine, a trade of Horton-Tucker and Nunn for Gordon works.
The latest reports state that Anthony Davis should return at the end of the month.
That alone will undoubtedly uplift the team.
But his performance this season has been disappointing as well and likely won’t be enough to push the team out of the Western Conference.
If the Lakers have any hopes of making a push for a championship this season, it will need an assist from the trade market prior to the February 10th deadline.
Detroit Pistons Jerami Grant is a name the Lakers have been linked to but the Pistons are presumed to get better offers than what the Los Angeles could provide.
Gordon has some interest as well from other teams, as it was reported that he was a player the Phoenix Suns are looking at. Nevertheless, at this time, Gordon seems to be the much easier fetch of the two.
Going into this season, the Lakers set itself back with the acquisition of Russell Westbrook. Perhaps it could cover back the ground it lost with another acquisition.
James had already put his foot in his mouth once this season when he responded to criticism following the team upon its formation over the summer.
That tweet has since been deleted by him.
A Gordon acquisition at least offers the prospects of his latest tweet actually making it past the cutting room floor.