Eric Gordon Rumors: Clippers, Suns, Contenders Eyeing Trade for Rockets Guard

Ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, the Houston Rockets have to figure out a resolution to the long-gestating Eric Gordon rumors.

Per The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns are among a handful of playoff contenders in the mix to acquire Gordon. Iko also reported that Gordon is not expected to seek a buyout if the Rockets don't trade him by the deadline.

Gordon has been rumored to be on the trade block for the past two years, but this is the Rockets' last best shot to cash in with a good return. He's signed through 2023-24 with a non-guaranteed salary of $20.9 million next season.

Responding to a reporter's question Feb. 4 when asked if he thought his time with the Rockets was coming to an end, Gordon said, "No."

That may have been posturing by Gordon, with Iko noting the 34-year-old has made it known to Rockets management dating back to last offseason that he would like to be traded.

Before the Dec. 15 date when teams could start trading players who signed as free agents last summer, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Rockets were seeking a first-round pick for Gordon.

It's unclear if Houston's stance has changed with the trade deadline so close.

"For the past two trade deadlines, the front office has maintained the stance they would be fine holding onto Gordon if the offers were less than desirable," Iko wrote. "That line of thinking, despite them being more inclined to trade him than in years past, still remains. The Rockets won't move him just for the sake of it. At various points over the past two years, Houston has received offers for Gordon's services comprising of draft compensation and players, all of which have been turned down."

There's no obvious benefit to the Rockets keeping Gordon at this point. He's unlikely to be around by the time they become a playoff contender again. They could clear cap space this summer since his non-guaranteed salary can come off the books, but that doesn't do anything for them unless the rumors turn out to be true that James Harden is interested in returning to Houston if he leaves the Philadelphia 76ers.

Gordon isn't having a great season with 13.2 points per game on 34.7 percent three-point shooting, but he's also in a difficult situation with a Rockets team led by four players under the age of 23.

The Clippers and Suns are jockeying for position in the Western Conference playoffs right now. Phoenix is trailing Los Angeles by 0.5 games for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

A player like Gordon, who can provide scoring punch off the bench, could be the difference in the final standings for either team if he gets dealt to the Clippers or Suns.