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

Examining what it might take to land Gordon, and what’s the outlook from there?

For a potential Gordon deal, maybe Rubio’s expiring contract, where he could sign elsewhere in the offseason and Cleveland’s 2022 first-round pick could be a framework? Or maybe packaged with Rubio, Cleveland’s 2022 seconds via the San Antonio Spurs and the Rockets getting that pick back could draw their interest?

With him seemingly being a vet leader for Houston, even with him being somewhat up and down this season, perhaps the latter suggestion could be feasible, or maybe the Cavs’ first-rounder for this season being packaged with Rubio’s deal and one of those Spurs or Rockets’ seconds back could get a deal done. These aren’t taking into account a multi-team trade scenario, for now, as an aside.

I probably would rather the Cavaliers look to do a deal with the Orlando Magic for a package centered on Terrence Ross, who is expiring after next season and I wouldn’t imagine would hinder the possibility of a potential Collin Sexton extension as much, as an aside. Gordon will be due to make $19.6 million in 2022-23; his 2023-24 season is non-guaranteed, on a positive note.

Relating to a hypothetical Gordon deal, however, if the Rubio-centric deal wouldn’t do it, as we hinted at, would Lauri Markkanen having to be involved in a deal, with say another cap-filler such as Dylan Windler or Dean Wade, be worth it? That’s combined with what Gordon is due for next season, too.

In that case, it’s not a deal I would pursue, as even with Markkanen being underwhelming this season as a shooter, somewhat due to him having to adjust to playing with two bigs extensively, I still think the Cavaliers should stick with what they’re doing with him, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

I also still believe with his length with those two players, and with Lamar Stevens and Isaac Okoro, when he’s back, as drivers/open floor threats, the Cavs can get stops when they need them, and that group is starting to become more comfortable. And if the team re-signs Sexton, I still believe he with the three bigs can definitely work with more experience, with guys like Okoro or Stevens, among others, mixed in throughout games, anyway.

Markkanen I also contend is a player that’s still able to carve out plays inside, and we’ve seen when the movement is there, his size can be very useful in mismatch situations. Along with that, on the defensive glass, he can be a plus there, and in transition/off movement, I still think his shooting presence helps other pieces. So, in turn, I wouldn’t be for moving the 24-year-old this early in his time with Cleveland.

In the event that the Gordon deal were to happen with it based on Rubio and picks, alternatively, circling back, of course Gordon could help in the short term as a versatile scorer that can make plays on and off-ball.