Cavs trading for Eric Gordon could be lift, but there are question marks

As we sit on Thursday, Jan. 13, the Cleveland Cavaliers are 24-18 on the season, and sit at sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have been far better than many thought would’ve predicted at this juncture, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, now-president of basketball operations Koby Altman deserve credit for that.

It has been rough for the Cavs this season when it comes to some key injuries, unfortunately, and with both Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio out for the remainder of the season, and Isaac Okoro still sidelined with an elbow sprain, it’s apparent the team will likely seek backcourt help. Darius Garland is currently dealing with back soreness, and has such a heavy workload as well.

In that realm, even after trading for Rajon Rondo, the Cavaliers are reportedly interested in Caris LeVert, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, a player they’ve been linked to. I’m not personally the biggest LeVert fan, but I understand the interest there.

Regarding other rumored potential targets, in a recent tweet response/report, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com mentioned Dennis Schroder, Joe Ingles, Goran Dragic, Kyle Anderson and a possible blockbuster one being Ben Simmons. Other names such as Cam Reddish and Buddy Hield have seemingly been names that have been popped up in trade rumors also.

Of those, with the potential compensation needed, Anderson, if he’s available, is the one I’d likely be most interested in, and even as an expiring player, while he’s not the shooter of a Hield or Ingles, I don’t foresee the Cavs needing to break the bank to re-sign him. If Cleveland is a big believer in a player in the mold of Hield or LeVert, the latter of whom is expiring after next season, I do understand it, though.

Even with them reportedly still seeking another ball handler/seemingly shot creator, however, one potential trade target for a team like the Cavaliers I wouldn’t particularly be on-board with is Eric Gordon.

According to a report from Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Gordon and Daniel Theis are players that some “player-caliber teams are monitoring” with how the Houston Rockets continue to slide, and are amid a full-rebuild. Gordon is 33 and Theis is 29, and are two of Houston’s older vets on a team that should be prioritizing young guys getting their share of playing time.

Gordon’s set to be on the books for $18.2 million this season, and with opposing teams reportedly having interest in possibly taking on Rubio’s expiring contract, along with draft picks, perhaps the Rockets could have some in that in a possible Gordon deal.

That being said, while I acknowledge Gordon is a proven perimeter scorer in this league, and has previously won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, for the Cavaliers, acquiring him could be an added lift, but questions would arise from there. That’s dependent on just what Cleveland would need to send out, too, clearly and looking onward, I’d probably pass, with on-floor concerns as well.

The Cavs potentially trading for Gordon could be an added boost; there are natural question marks, though.

The first has to do with what it might cost Cleveland, and would it be worth it to have to include a guy such as Lauri Markkanen?