?Holding Onto Him Like a Holographic Charizard?: Twitter Erupts As Rockets Finally Take Major Step With 14-Year NBA Veteran

The Houston Rockets might finally be ready to let go of Eric Gordon. With the Rockets are actively rebuilding the roster, fans started questioning the franchise’s trade decisions. However, according to recent reports, the long-awaited Gordon trade might finally take place. Although, fans might need to see the trade take place for them to actually believe it. As of now, the Rockets are yet to confirm or deny the news.

Drafted in 2008, Eric Gordon joined the Houston Rockets back in 2016. Following James Harden‘s departure from the team in 2021, Gordon remained the only veteran player on the roster. However, general manager Rafael Stone seemed unwilling to trade him off. According to Kelly Iko from The Athletic, the franchise had earlier turned down several offers that came their way for Gordon. However, the 2022-2023 season might finally bring possible changes for the 33-year-old NBA star.

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Since Gordon’s possible trade news has been going around for several seasons, fans are finding it hard to believe. Additionally, few also felt that the trade should have taken place sooner.

NBA fans react to the most anticipated Rockets trade

Eric Gordon is undoubtedly an exceptional player. However, the Houston Rockets starter gave an average performance this season. Gordon is currently averaging 11.8 pts, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds. The Athletic reported that the Rockets are finally more inclined to go forth with the decision to trade Gordon.

“This might finally be the year for EG. His contract is essentially expiring with next season being non-guaranteed and he?s on a big number,” a source told The Athletic.

The trade deadline is set for February 9, 2023. However, the Rockets are reportedly open to trading Gordon well before the deadline if they get a substantial offer. Comments from Twitterati indicated that they have been waiting for the trade to take place for a long time. Below are some of the tweets.

As the tweets indicated, many are still skeptical about the news. Fans made it clear that they are unwilling to believe unless they watch the trade taking place. It might be safe to say that fans’ demands are understandable given the whole Philadelphia 76ers trade saga.

The trade that fell through

Several months prior to the 2022-23 regular season, the Houston Rockets had come close to trading Eric Gordon. The Rockets had already begun trading veteran players to focus on building the roster with the younger NBA stars. After the Rockets traded Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks, many thought Gordon would be next. Evidently, several teams came forth with their respective offers.

According to The Athletic, Gordon got very close to getting traded to the Sixers on draft night. However, the deal never took place. The Sixers yet again attempted to acquire Gordon at the start of free agency only to face disappointment yet again.

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In 2016, Gordon entered a four-year contract with the Rockets that was worth $53 million. About three years later, Houston Chronicles‘ Jonathan Feigen reported that both parties agreed to a four-year contract extension that was worth $75.6 million. As of now, it is a waiting game for the NBA world to see if the Gordon trade really pulls through.