NBA trade rumors: Rockets trying to flip veteran for another first-round pick

Riding high after turning Christian Wood into the No. 26 pick, NBA trade rumors have the Houston Rockets looking to pick up another pick.

The Houston Rockets picked up the No. 26 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft last night, along with some assorted role players, sending Christian Wood to Dallas. The Rockets now hold the No. 3, No. 17 and No. 26 picks in the first round and could be looking for me.

According to Bleacher-Report’s Jake Fischer, the Rockets are hoping they can get someone to throw another first-round pick their way for Eric Gordon.

Who would actually trade a first-round pick to the Rockets for Eric Gordon?

Gordon had a solid season for the Rockets, despite battling injuries. He averaged 13.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game, shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc. He’s lost the elite athleticism that once made a fringe star but he still has plenty of value as a veteran floor-spacer who can handle some secondary creation and at least knows where to be on defense.

Still, it’s a bit hard to imagine the Rockets landing another first-round pick for him. The back half of the first round has several teams like the Spurs and Grizzlies who would likely prefer a rookie with upside to a veteran, win-now piece, or teams like the Warriors, Heat or Bucks who probably won’t be able (or interested) in eating the two years at just under $20 million per season still on his current contract.

The Philadelphia 76ers could theoretically make something work with Danny Green (who they are shopping), salary filler and the No. 23 pick but it’s not clear that would actually be an upgrade for Philadelphia.

For fans of chaos though, the ideal path would be someone offering a late first for Gordon, and then the Rockets trading back from No. 3 with someone like the Spurs (No. 9 and No. 20) who could offer multiple picks, turning three current first-round picks for the Rockets into five.