NBA trade rumors: Players on the trade block the Lakers must avoid

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts following a call during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts following a call during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) – NBA trade rumors
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) – NBA trade rumors

2. Eric Gordon

There is no guarantee that the Houston Rockets trade Eric Gordon at the deadline but he is a prime trade candidate. He plays on a bad team, offers something that almost every contending team needs (shooting) and has a decent-sized contract that the Rockets can save some money on.

Plus, at his age, he is only going to get worse in the NBA, not better. That is part of the reason why the Los Angeles Lakers should not trade for him.

Gordon simply is not worth what the Lakers are going to have to trade. Like Hield, the Lakers are going to have to package THT and Nunn together as well as adding a first-round pick to the package. The Rockets are reportedly not trading Gordon for anything less than a first-round pick.

It is simply not worth it for the Lakers. They would be trading their only young asset in THT, another asset in Nunn and a future pick for someone who can shoot and plays horrendous defense.

I have written this before and I will write it again. Nobody can say with a straight face that the Lakers could play an underside two-guard in Gordon next to Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Wayne Ellington, or Avery Bradley and actually expect good results.