Eric Gordon is officially on the trading block. With the New Orleans Pelicans going through a mostly disappointing season, the team is reportedly attempting to trade its veteran shooting guard (via John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune):
Before the injury, sources say the Pelicans were exploring trade offers for Gordon. There is still a chance the Pelicans could look to trade Gordon before the Feb. 18 deadline if they can find a willing team. Gordon was the only Pelicans’ player to start 40 of the first 41 games before getting injured.
Gordon recently fractured his finger, meaning he will be out for a while before he can return to the court. That can create major complications for the Pelicans as they try to shop him. If a contending team sees Gordon as a missing piece on the wing, they must be wary of his health and how much he can actually contribute to the team. Additionally, Gordon is a free agent this summer so teams must also take into account that they could effectively be trading for less than half of a season of the shooting guard.
For the Pelicans, Gordon may be a movable piece that can help them fix their roster. After a playoff season last year, New Orleans has been unable to replicate their success. With a gluttony of injuries to start the season and a new coach being implemented, it has been a perfect storm for an already strangely built roster to fall off a cliff.
The Pelicans do need a shakeup of the roster. Whether that comes in the form of trading their players to get other established veterans that fit better together or in the form of getting young players and draft picks to rebuild entirely, something has to happen. The Pelicans have a potentially transcendent super star in Anthony Davis. It’s time to build a full team around him. Trading Gordon might be the first step.
