Houston Rockets: Could Eric Gordon have another big year?

Since joining the Houston Rockets, Eric Gordon has quietly cemented himself as one of the franchise’s top players. Could another big year be on the horizon?

For the last three seasons, Houston Rockets‘ guard Eric Gordon has found a way to shine no matter what role he has been thrust into throughout his tenure in Clutch City.

The 30-year-old wing — who finished among the top 15 in 3-pointers made last season — put together a solid showing following a sluggish start to the year, averaging 16.2 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting from the field through 68 outings.

This production comes on top of working his way into a new role in the process, as the former Sixth Man recipient would prove to be a more effective force following his official insertion into the Rockets starting lineup.

Gordon, who averaged just 13.7 points on 36.7 percent shooting through 15 games off the bench, posted 16.9 points per game on 42.0 percent shooting from the field in his 53 contests as a starter last year.

This came in addition to drilling a higher percentage of his looks from beyond the arc. The ex-Indiana Hoosiers product — who shot just 29.3 percent from 3-point range as a reserve — shot 37.7 percent from long range en route to helping guide Houston to its third straight campaign with over 50 wins under head coach Mike D’Antoni.

Yet in spite of all his recent success, Gordon would soon find his name amid offseason trade rumors following Houston’s latest playoff run, wondering if the organization he had resurrected his career with wanted him back in the foxhole to compete for a championship.

"“All we did is lose to a team like Golden State,” Gordon said to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle in Las Vegas last month.“They had a dynasty of a team. But they had a lot of injuries so it’s wide open. Each game we were a couple possessions away from winning. We just have to take advantage of what’s ahead of us.”"

Now, Gordon appears to have the answer to what once was public speculation. After remaining in constant communication with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and his agent early on over various trades and chatter that originally surfaced across the NBA landscape, Splash Gordon will remain in H-Town.

"“I’m [never] really worried about that because I know what I am to the team,” Gordon added per Feigen when asked about how he dealt with being involved in initial trade talks several weeks ago.“When your name is in a lot of trades that means a lot of teams want you. But this team knows what I do and what I bring to the table.”"

Although names such as James Harden and Russell Westbrook will generate the most buzz when it comes to public and national discussions involving Houston basketball, one could argue that the unsung combo threat has arguably been the most important piece to the Rockets attack at both ends of the floor.

Since his arrival in the summer of 2016, Gordon has successfully displayed the ability to generate offense off the dribble via slashing or driving to the rim for scoring opportunities inside.

His prowess also comes as a spot-up shooter from downtown, as the 2017 3-Point Contest champion has made a living by making opponents pay for seeking to send double teams to his backcourt partners out in Houston.

"“I always knew what status I was in,” Gordon said to reporters. “At the end of the day, I just have to continue to play. I’m looking forward to what we’re going to do next year.”"

Despite failing to find his rhythm at the onset of the season, Gordon would catch fire following the All-Star break, shooting a red-hot 43.1 percent from deep over the Rockets final 23 games of the regular season.

Should Gordon pick up right where he left off, then there is a chance that he could be in for yet another big year, as the man who has ranked among the top 15 in 3-pointers made for three consecutive seasons — and is entering the final year of his contract — certainly has all the incentives and pieces in place to make it happen.