Eric Gordon will miss the next four to six weeks with a fractured finger, but that may not stop the New Orleans Pelicans from trying to trade him.
From the Times-Picayune‘s John Reid (h/t CBS Sports):
Gordon fractured his finger when Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica hit it on a steal attempt during the third quarter in this past Tuesday night’s 114-99 victory against Minnesota.
Before the injury, sources say the Pelicans were exploring trade offers for Gordon. There is still a chance the Pelicans could look to trade Gordon before the Feb. 18 deadline if they can find a willing team. Gordon was the only Pelicans’ player to start 40 of the first 41 games before getting injured.
Expiring contracts aren’t all the rage they once were, not with the salary cap getting set to skyrocket, but Gordon’s $15.5 million hit could be used to take back an unwanted deal or, more preferably, someone of some value whom a certain team is trying to dump in favor of additional cap flexibility this summer.
If that scenario materializes, the Pelicans will pounce on it. Some (me) would have them throw in the towel on this season, look to dump contracts of their own, clear cap space ahead of this summer and enter the Ben Simmons sweepstakes.
But high-end lottery berths aren’t what they’re after. They canned Monty Williams and hired Alvin Gentry with the goal of moving up the Western Conference ladder, and with the postseason still in reach, they will chase a second consecutive playoff berth to no end.
Sussing out a roster-improving Gordon deal won’t be easy, though—or even possible. Teams aren’t big on trading for injured players, and Gordon has had problems staying healthy in the past.
Unless the Pelicans are trading another player of value and using Eric Gordon as a way of matching salary on their return, he’ll more likely than not finish 2015-16 in New Orleans.
