After seasons of perennial contention with James Harden, the Houston Rockets are now at the bottom of the Western Conference. They now have a young core of players, combined with their own pick in the upcoming draft. They are hoping it is the number one selection, of course, but even if it is not, the draft is fairly deep. However, when rebuilding, it is not only about making sure the team can get a good draft pick. It is also about clearing up the roster, and the Rockets still have some players worth trading away. Here are the two players Rockets must trade in the 2022 NBA offseason.

Eric Gordon 

Starting with an obvious one, we could even legitimately ask why the Rockets still have Eric Gordon on the roster. Obviously, he has given so much to Houston that it is admirable. He arrived there in 2016, coming as a free agent signing from the New Orleans Pelicans. Since then, he has been absolutely amazing for the Rockets, playing the type of role that the team needed during the James Harden era in H-Town. His best and, coincidentally, the best Rockets season in the last 20+ years was the 2017-18 season, when the dynamic duo of Harden and Chris Paul, combined with Eric Gordon averaging 18 points, almost beat Kevin Durant and Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors.

However, this is a different Rockets team and Gordon seems out of place. He is 33 years of age, playing his 14th year in the NBA for his third franchise. He is also making almost $20 million per season for at least two more years after this season is done. With a team centered around Jalen Green, Christian Wood, Alperen Sengun, and whoever the Rockets select in the 2022 NBA Draft, Gordon just seems out of place. By the time these guys are ready to fully contend, Gordon will be way past his prime and he will not be able to help them. However, he could help them in another way.