Can the Los Angeles Lakers trade for Eric Gordon?

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most compelling teams in the entire NBA. The Lakers were already one of the top contenders in the league and then they went out and added former MVP, Russell Westbrook.

While that seemingly put the team in a financial bind, Rob Pelinka and the front office was able to build a deep rotation full of impactful players. Sure, they are seasoned, but there is not a single wasted roster spot on the team.

An intriguing new veteran is available on the market as Eric Gordon is reportedly open to being traded. It seems to be a matter of if, not when, Gordon gets traded as there is no reason for the young Houston Rockets to keep him in town.

The problem is that Gordon does not have much trade value and the Rockets aren’t going to be able to warrant a big return. That seemingly opens the door for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire him via a trade, which raises the question:

Can the Los Angeles Lakers actually trade for Eric Gordon?

While Gordon’s value is low because of his age and recent performance the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to be able to trade for the veteran. Sure, all they would need to send is a future second-round pick and the contracts to match Gordon but that is the problem: they do not have the contracts to match.

Gordon is making $18.2 million next season. The Lakers would have to trade Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and another minimum contract to make the money work. That is obviously not going to happen.

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However, that does not mean that the Los Angeles Lakers cannot acquire Eric Gordon, as that is still a possibility.

At this point, the Rockets get more value in getting Gordon’s contract off the books for expiring contracts. There are two routes the team can take. The Rockets could simply outright bite the bullet and buy out Gordon, making him a potential candidate for the Lakers to sign.

Or, the team could trade Gordon with an asset to another team, who may have the intent of buying him out once he arrives. These trades are not that uncommon in the NBA but the Rockets would have to attach a decent asset alongside Gordon. A second-round pick, like what the Lakers traded with Marc Gasol, simply is not going to be enough.

So it absolutely is possible for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Eric Gordon at some point throughout the season. However, it is impossible for the Lakers to outright trade for Gordon. That is off the radar.