I don't really like Gordon for the Celtics because of his injury problems and salary that could really eat into our cap room post KG and PP if he doesn't work out, but I have to say that his situation seems like one of those very rare opportunities where a team can get a true talent at a real discount.
If he works out he has the potential to turn a team into a championship contender. At the same time because of his salary and length of contract he could hamstring them for the next several years and only be on the court for a fraction of the time.
Some team is going to take a chance on him (Golden State maybe? for Thompson/Barnes plus Biedrins/Jefferson?), I just hope its not the Celtics.
Eric Gordon is turning no one into a contender...that is actually comical. It's a rare opportunity for new Orleans to get our young star for nothing. thanks but no thanks.
Gordon at full strength and if healthy can be a guy who averages 20ppg. If you add that kind of scoring ability to a team that already has some really good pieces he could easily turn them into a contender. Teams like Memphis, Golden State, Utah, Indiana or Minnesota could really do some damage with that kind of production (if he can stay on the court).
Especially if they get him at a discount because they are taking a risk on his health and because of his price tag.
The talent is there, he has just struggled with injuries. If you can get a guy like that without giving back equal return it could be a game changer (or screw your team for the rest of his contract).
exactly. I think of a lot this depends on where Boston thinks it is going. I could easily see a Gordon & Vasquez trade for Rondo & Lee being made if KG and PP return, because I think that trade in the short term makes Boston a more likely contender. Vasquez is a very good PG and Gordon is the scorer that Boston lacks and the guy that could really take pressure off of Pierce (coupled with Green getting more minutes so Pierce is fresh for the playoffs). Also, Rondo has an ACL injury. No one knows when he will playing and even if he does how the injury will affect him. I wouldn't be surprised if Rondo is just not right at all next year and needs the extra year to fully recover (then again he could be an adrian peterson type, you just don't know). So, if I'm Boston and KG and PP come back, I think I make the trade, if KG and/or PP retire, I think I stick it out with Rondo and either build around him going forward or trade him when his value is at its highest (which is not this summer).
So say the trade is made
PG - Vasquez, Bradley, Terry
SG - Gordon, Bradley, Crawford
SF - Pierce, Green
PF - Green, Sullinger, Bass
C - Garnett, Melo
Team clearly needs a back-up center from free agency and/or the draft (Kelly Olynyck might fill part of that role). I just think that team next year with health has a higher upside then that team with Rondo and Lee.