NBA salary cap exercise: What player would every team amnesty?

Houston Rockets – Eric Gordon

The Rockets are slated to have a $130.7 million payroll next season with two players making over $40 million. This makes any sort of roster building quite difficult. Should Daryl Morey still be there he has continuously proven able to make the most of very little wiggle room but opening some up would not hurt.

Given his inconsistent health and packing the third-highest cap hit on the team Eric Gordon is a logical choice to be amnestied. Gordon is due $16.9 million, $18.2 million, $19.6 million and $20.9 million over the next four seasons. Given the Rockets’ proclivity for signing quality role players (Austin Rivers, Danuel House, Ben McLemore) for little financial commitment ($7.7 million combined this season) this financial change could go a long way.

Gordon is an essential part to what Houston has been over the last three seasons and this loss would certainly hurt. He is an elite floor spacer and overall scorer. But being able to add additional depth, like four players for the price of one, could help alleviate some of the exhaustion issues that have plagued the Rockets in the past. It is a thought experiment worth considering.

On the more negative side of things Tilman Fertitta seems destined to be on the Robert Sarver ownership track so finding any way to save money above all else would be appealing. I doubt he would be so bold as to amnesty either Russell Westbrook or James Harden so Gordon makes the most sense for him too.