“Pass or Pursue” on 3 top trade targets for the Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics trade target No. 3) Eric Gordon

Lastly, we have easily the most polarizing trade target that’s been linked to the Boston Celtics in Houston Rockets guard, Eric Gordon.

Throughout his 14-year NBA career the 33-year-old has managed to establish himself as easily one of the best second-unit players in the association and, as a result, has been in the running for Sixth-Man of the Year honors on multiple occasions, winning the illustrious award back during the 2016-17 season.

A career 16.5 point per game scorer with a 37 percent long-range shooting clip attached to his name, some believe that the seasoned two could be exactly what this C’s second unit could use moving forward, and Buckley is under the impression that his production this season even furth solidifies the notion that he’d be a great fit in green and white threads.

"Eric Gordon has been absurdly deadly from distance (2.4 threes on 45.6 percent shooting). He has enough handles and vision to create offense for himself and his teammates in stretches. Finally, the fact that he is a 33-year-old with a lengthy injury history and a contract that will pay him $37.8 million over this season and next, per Spotrac, means Houston can’t possibly ask for much in an exchange. If the Celtics are going to make a post-deadline push, they need to add someone who can make an instant impact. Gordon’s experience and ability should help him do just that."

To be frank, we’re not entirely opposed to the idea of seeing Eric Gordon lacing them up for the shamrocks this season — in fact, we, too, believe he could be a great addition to the team’s bench unit.

That said, when discussing the veteran, it’s hard not to focus on his massive price tag with a remaining worth of $19.6 million a year through 2024.

You see, this right here makes the concept of trading for Gordon seem both rather unrealistic and, honestly, irresponsible.

Not only do the Boston Celtics already have a salary cap problem (currently have the seventh-highest payroll in the association) but they also have had an injury problem these past few years as well.

Bringing on the likes of Eric Gordon would only further complicate these two categories due to his annual salary and checkered injury history throughout his career (has played in over 62 games just twice and over 60 games just seven times), not to mention the fact that piecing together a package that would actually work from a salary-matching standpoint will likely prove to be an absolute hassle, wasting energy and assets that could be better used elsewhere.

Because of this, we at the Houdini feel as though the Celtics should steer clear of any trade involving the veteran guard making his way to Boston.

Verdict: Pass