Report: Rockets, Pacers in talks to trade Eric Gordon, draft picks

The last remnant of the Houston Rockets of old could be on the move this week.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fisher, the Rockets and the Indiana Pacers have discussed sending Gordon to his home state of Indiana to potentially corral the 13th pick. Houston would also send over the No. 23 pick.

This comes off the heels of The Athletic’s Shams Charania’s report that Houston is looking to package Gordon with either the No. 23 or 24 pick to move up in the draft.

The move to send Gordon makes sense in a romantic sort of way. Gordon was born, raised, and played high school and college basketball in Indiana. In return to a possible career-ending stint in his home state — while also contributing to a playoff team — he would also be helping the franchise that rejuvenated his career rebuild.

In only 27 games last year, the now 32-year-old guard averaged 17.8 points a game, his highest in three seasons. While Gordon shot only 32.9% from deep in ‘20-’21, he was much more aggressive going inside, shooting 57.3% from two-point range, the highest of his career, and an immaculate 74.7% on shots at the rim.

Gordon is the last remaining member of the 2017-2018 Rockets team that set a franchise record 65 wins and took the Golden State Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals. In 2016-2017, Gordon experienced a career resurgence with Houston after winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and made a name for himself as one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the league.

If his time in Houston is truly done, he can know that he left a huge mark in one of the most memorable eras in Rockets history.