Could the solution to our SG problems be Eric Gordon?

[hrdboild]

I was thinking about the Free Agency topic a bit more and how I didn't really like anyone on the list this season. I also don't see a lot of realistic targets next season either. There are complimentary players who could help us, but not a lot of immediate improvements at the SG position. We're sitting at 27 wins here. We need to add at least one guard who can step into a 9 man playoff rotation effectively. If not Free Agency, how are we going to get this done?

Well here's the next in a long line of unpopular suggestions from me: what about Eric Gordon? I know my gut reaction when I hear that name is the same as yours ... hell no! Overpaid, shell of his former self, his current team can't get rid of him soon enough. I wonder though if he's one of those guys who's been thought of as overrated for so long that it's actually come around the other way. Let's explore this shall we?

First of all, this is what I think we need -- a steady backup SG who can be relied upon to make shots in 20-25 minutes per game off the bench. It should ideally be someone who can also handle the ball a little bit if Ben is keeping his job as the starter because that gives us more options with the rotation. It absolutely needs to be a three point threat, especially if we're also considering replacements for Collison in the starting lineup as he's actually a very good three point shooter relative to the rest of the PGs in the league. So the idea is to take the player PDA wanted to get in Stauskas and accelerate that development a few years with a veteran replacement.

Why Eric Gordon?

(1) He can shoot. Ex. 1

Yes that's Eric Gordon right after Kyle Korver on the 3pt shooting leader board this season shooting 45% on 295 attempts. If you switch over to PGs you'd see that he's actually out shooting all of them (including Steph Curry though on a ton less attempts). Is it a fluke? Yes and no. His career average is a still solid 38%. Year by year he's shot 39% (08/09), 37% (09/10), 36% (10/11), 32% (12/13), 39% (13/14), 45% (14/15) on his three pointers. I skipped the 2011/2012 season because he only played 9 games that year. He also missed half of 2012/2013 recovering from injury which partly explains the poor shooting that season. When healthy, you're looking at a fairly consistent three point threat and occasionally even an elite one.

(2) He's not a one-trick pony. Ex. 2

His career assist percentage of 16.7% slots in below Collison (27.3), McCallum (21.2), Cousins (20.5), and Gay (19.1) among Kings' regulars this season. His career average of 3.6 assists per 36 min slots in just after Cousins' (3.8) and Gay's (3.7) averages this season. Also his assist percentage this season (17.9) and assists per 36 min (4.2) are both above those career averages so the trend is encouraging here. If Andre Miller comes back next season there's less immediate need for an additional ballhandler on the bench, but Miller is also going to be 39 so he's obviously not a long term solution to anything.

(3) Age.

Despite being a six year veteran, Gordon will only be 27 next season. That bumps him above other potential veteran targets like Kevin Martin (32), Ben Gordon (32), CJ Watson (31), Anthony Morrow (29), Courtney Lee (29), Monta Ellis (29) and Aaron Afflalo (29) who are all a lot closer to their decline phase.

(4) Opportunity.

Eric Gordon has a player option for next season at 15.5M that he would be a fool to pass up. Not only is he getting paid next season, he's about to become a Free Agent during the biggest free agency bonanza in memory and New Orleans still hasn't figured out how to get minutes for all 3 of their guards: Holiday, Gordon, and Evans in the same backcourt. We know he's been on the market before (last summer) and it's likely he's on the market again at next year's trade deadline. If they don't trade him they'll have to re-sign him to another risky long-term deal or let him go for nothing.

Here's how I see this working out. It's a bit of a stretch, but not entirely ridiculous (well, you tell me)...

This summer we make a stepping stone trade in anticipation of making a move for Gordon at the trade deadline. Here's one possibility: we trade Carl Landry to Charlotte for Lance Stephenson. Lance has a team option for next season on his 9 million dollar a year contract so he's essentially an expiring contract tied to a player Charlotte can't get rid of soon enough.

Landry 6.5M/2 years for Stephenson 9M/1 year (with 9M Team Option)

Lance's cap hit next season is less than 150% of Landry's so the trade is legal.
Charlotte takes on extra overhead in 2016/2017 to get Lance out of the lockerroom and they get a serviceable veteran PF where they currently have two raw young players: C. Zeller and N. Vonleh. For us this clears out Landry's contract and gives us a salary matching trade chip at the deadline which we can combine with Jason Thompson's contract to acquire Eric Gordon.

Thompson 6.4M/2 years and Stephenson (9M/exp with 9M TO) for Gordon 15.5M/exp

Salaries match almost identically here so the trade is legal.
New Orleans gets a serviceable backup big and an option year on Stephenson if they decide they want him back in exchange for their expiring contract. They probably want a draft pick in exchange for Gordon but I don't know if they'll get it at the deadline.

Obviously this doesn't solve all of our problems, but it allows us to trade Stauskas with our draft pick to try to bring in a PF or backup C, gives us a secondary playmaker on the bench, and hopefully improves our 3pt shooting. I'm also looking at future free agent options at PG and wondering if re-uniting this year's effective Tyreke Evans/Eric Gordon backcourt tandem in Sacramento as a bench unit and/or fourth quarter platoon would be a good idea for us.

 

[Tetsujin]

No.

 

[KingMilz]

Monta Ellis is opting out of his Mav's deal we can do what we should have done (which we were all against since we already had IT at the point) when we let Reke go.

 

[hrdboild]

No.

I do enjoy our personnel related chats

 

[miltonap]

hell no

 

[ilmago]

Injury prone.
No, thanks

 

[Bricklayer]

amazingly I have considered this both in the past and now. And I think Gordon is garbage. Or did. Somewhere along the line he might be having a revival as a more solid roleplayery vet rather than a soft malcontent chucker.

The thing, the big thing, is what we need out of the SG spot is 1) shooting and 2) a supplemental ballhandler/dual PG since Collison is not pure. Enter the Eric Gordon consideration.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Gordon is an option worth thinking about, cause he is used mainly off the ball by the Pel's and should improve his production a bit, when he is given the opportunity to play like he used to play for the Clippers.
Still his injury history raises some red flags for me and aquiring Gordon would most likely mean moving Ben to the bench and drop Stauskas compeltely.
I'm not sure, if this is the right way going forward.

 

[Bricklayer]

Gordon is an option worth thinking about, cause he is used mainly off the ball by the Pel's and should improve his production a bit, when he is given the opportunity to play like he used to play for the Clippers.
Still his injury history raises some red flags for me and aquiring Gordon would most likely mean moving Ben to the bench and drop Stauskas compeltely.
I'm not sure, if this is the right way going forward.

Something like it is absolutely the right way. That SG spot will be filled by a dependable vet next year. The question just is does Gordon qualify as such.

 

[Gilles]

EGordon should be considered as an option, since he can shoot very well, pass and defend well and settled clearly behind Davis and Evans as a scoring option. If he's coming in, one of Ben/Nik is not needed/has no time, so might as well trade one of the guys (would trade Nik) along with Landry and keep JT.
P.S. Looked through the list of best C&S guys and he was close to the top.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Something like it is absolutely the right way. That SG spot will be filled by a dependable vet next year. The question just is does Gordon qualify as such.

Depends on what the Kings would get in return for Ben or Nik. I wouldn't dump them at all cost.

 

[206Fan]

Does he defend well enough?

 

[dude12]

I don't get the hate for Ben, he's developing nicely. If anything, blame the front office for going into the season with a 2nd year man and rookie at the position. I'd try and trade off Nik and whatever else it takes to bring in a vet SG.

 

[dude12]

Most of the guys listed in the original post in the age section, I'd probably take over Gordon. In part because he's had a long history of not staying healthy......Gordon has always had a good skill set and it would fit here except I think we can get a knockdown 3 point guy for cheaper. I'd take Morrow all things considered.

 

[Hadlowe]

Does he defend well enough?

The eyeball test says that he is a decent defender, good position and off-ball awareness. He is strong and has a decent wingspan, so he doesn't get bullied in 1 on 1 ball. He does pretty well against 1s and 2s, but he is a little bit short for the 2 position, so a switch onto a 3 can be bad news. His passing lane instincts are also mediocre, so he doesn't generate turnovers. The three is much stronger than the D for him, but the D isn't awful.

I'm not opposed to the idea of bringing him in, but there may be better options available, including guys on our team right now. Defensively, I think Ben will be the better player long-term. Gordon is better on offense, but he's also a third option offensive player. I don't like the idea of paying max salary for third options unless they are defensive first-team guys.

 

[Amit149]

My gut tells me HELL NO! and no matter how much I try to rationalize it, it stays the same. I really think sometimes you should trust your gut.

 

[KingsFanGER]

I don't get the hate for Ben, he's developing nicely. If anything, blame the front office for going into the season with a 2nd year man and rookie at the position. I'd try and trade off Nik and whatever else it takes to bring in a vet SG.

I don't get it neither. He is still inconsistant, but he is improving nicely. His athleticism is off the charge, he is great in transition, his ballhandling is improving and he has shown some nice drives to the basket lately.
I'm tired off shipping out developing former lottery picks in low value deals. If we trade Ben or Nik the outcome should be a player, that really moves this team to another level.
Given his health problems I doubt, that Gordon is this player.

 

[dude12]

How much better would this team being both our young guys could have knocked down open 3's all year? Without looking at numbers, I feel like Ben has been fine. Again without looking at numbers, I feel as if Stauskas has not lived up to his hype as a knock down 3 point shooter....and that is what he's supposed to be but he sure misses those open 3's. if Stauskas can become the shooter the FO had hoped then maybe we wait and fill other spots. I'm not a Stauskas fan nor was I a fan of the pick but we sure do need him to develop that skill set.

 

[hrdboild]

A couple comments...

My idea wasn't to bump Ben to the bench but rather to acquire a veteran backup who can play productive minutes every night, rather than once every 5 games or so. Ben is progressing just fine for a second year player. I think Stauskas is progressing fine as well, but I tend to agree that we need some experience at the 2 guard position and Ben is the player I would keep if I'm only keeping one of them. If you're looking for a veteran guard who can shoot and isn't already past their prime, there are very few options out there. The idea of paying an older player to come in and contribute with the worst years of their career is less appealing to me than just waiting for Stauskas to develop.

Regarding the contract, I think it's a non-issue considering Eric Gordon's max deal expires after next season and my plan was to pick him up mid-season anyway. In fact, the deals I proposed actually knock 13 million off our salary cap for 2016 and I doubt Eric Gordon commands anywhere close to that per year at this point so we're actually saving money here and moving out Landry's redundant contract. Even if Gordon doesn't work out, it's not a bad idea to get Landry and Thompson off our roster and replace them with better players.

The injury history is a legitimate concern but he's still only 26. He's no longer the 22 year old budding superstar New Orleans signed to a max deal, but the knee injury doesn't seem to be bothering him this season and he seems well equipped for a support role. In fact, the injury history might allow us to nab a productive player in his prime that a lot of other teams are afraid of. A reduction in his minutes per game might help him stay healthy longer. It's a risk, but all personnel moves are. Considering how quickly our last championship contending team fell apart when everyone turned 29, you have to be a little bit concerned about injury with any of the older veterans I mentioned as well.

 

[Gilles]

How much better would this team being both our young guys could have knocked down open 3's all year? Without looking at numbers, I feel like Ben has been fine. Again without looking at numbers, I feel as if Stauskas has not lived up to his hype as a knock down 3 point shooter....and that is what he's supposed to be but he sure misses those open 3's. if Stauskas can become the shooter the FO had hoped then maybe we wait and fill other spots. I'm not a Stauskas fan nor was I a fan of the pick but we sure do need him to develop that skill set.

Stauskas is making 3s under Karl. He missed the game at Utah reportedly with back problems, which can affect movement and consequently shooting, so his most recent struggles shouldn't be a concern. Defense still is though as is his inability to finish inside.

A couple comments...

My idea wasn't to bump Ben to the bench but rather to acquire a veteran backup who can play productive minutes every night, rather than once every 5 games or so. Ben is progressing just fine for a second year player. I think Stauskas is progressing fine as well, but I tend to agree that we need some experience at the 2 guard position and Ben is the player I would keep if I'm only keeping one of them. If you're looking for a veteran guard who can shoot and isn't already past their prime, there are very few options out there. The idea of paying an older player to come in and contribute with the worst years of their career is less appealing to me than just waiting for Stauskas to develop.

Regarding the contract, I think it's a non-issue considering Eric Gordon's max deal expires after next season and my plan was to pick him up mid-season anyway. In fact, the deals I proposed actually knock 13 million off our salary cap for 2016 and I doubt Eric Gordon commands anywhere close to that per year at this point so we're actually saving money here and moving out Landry's redundant contract. Even if Gordon doesn't work out, it's not a bad idea to get Landry and Thompson off our roster and replace them with better players.

The injury history is a legitimate concern but he's still only 26. He's no longer the 22 year old budding superstar New Orleans signed to a max deal, but the knee injury doesn't seem to be bothering him this season and he seems well equipped for a support role. In fact, the injury history might allow us to nab a productive player in his prime that a lot of other teams are afraid of. A reduction in his minutes per game might help him stay healthy longer. It's a risk, but all personnel moves are. Considering how quickly our last championship contending team fell apart when everyone turned 29, you have to be a little bit concerned about injury with any of the older veterans I mentioned as well.

Landry should go, but with JT on his way out Kings have only one quality big man on the roster. He's kinda good, but even he can't log 96 minutes in a 48 minute game.

 

[Prince_XY]

How much better would this team being both our young guys could have knocked down open 3's all year? Without looking at numbers, I feel like Ben has been fine. Again without looking at numbers, I feel as if Stauskas has not lived up to his hype as a knock down 3 point shooter....and that is what he's supposed to be but he sure misses those open 3's. if Stauskas can become the shooter the FO had hoped then maybe we wait and fill other spots. I'm not a Stauskas fan nor was I a fan of the pick but we sure do need him to develop that skill set.

If we get Eric Gordon, we better be ready seeing this team playing small ball most of the time. I don't think some fans will have some fun watching this team play against full-sized basketball teams in the playoffs. For sure, for the next 2-3 years we will be a playoff team. I don't think we can be successful on the first round of playoffs with midget players.

I'd be happier to see Kevin Martin or the surprisingly under performing Lance Stephenson at SG for our Kings.

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't get the hate for Ben, he's developing nicely. If anything, blame the front office for going into the season with a 2nd year man and rookie at the position. I'd try and trade off Nik and whatever else it takes to bring in a vet SG.

He's developing nicely = he runs out for dunks nicely. On even numbered days, except in 31 day months when its 1 out of every 3.

He's undependable. Probably cost us 8-10 wins over the past couple of years by being incompetent. There is hope there compared to the scary inability of Stauskas to step forward even when given a chance. But Ben at his best is STILL not what is needed unless we dump Collison too. He's no ballhanlder, and he is so weak mentally he can disappear at any second.

Next year is a must win. A place for tough minded vets who are absolutely solid every night. Kings fans have just spent so many years losing now they've lost all perspective on how you win. You win with Klay Thompson and Wesley Matthews and Tony Allen and JJ Reddick and James Harden and Eric Gordon/Tyreke and Manu Ginobili/Danny Green and Monta Ellis. Stars or mentally tough rock solid veteran roleplayers. You don't win throwing out maybe maybe not kids.

 

[Bricklayer]

If we get Eric Gordon, we better be ready seeing this team playing small ball most of the time. I don't think some fans will have some fan watching this team play against full-sized basketball teams in the playoffs. For sure, for the next 2-3 years we will be a playoff team. I don't think we can be successful on the first round of playoffs with midget players.

I'd be happier to see Kevin Martin or the surprisingly under performing Lance Stephenson at SG for our Kings.

Martin has the shooting but no ballahandling and awful D. I suggested him earlier this year, but there are real concerns.

Stephensen has the ballhandling and the D, but not the shooting. He's also of course a potential cancer who has not functioned well with big interior centers.

But these are the sorts of imperfect choices we have out there. Whoever we get will have a wart.

 

[Gary]

Almost any starting SG in the league is better than McLemore. We are much better off with Gordon, but I don't know if I would want him due to his injuries.

 

[Gary]

Martin has the shooting but no ballahandling and awful D. I suggested him earlier this year, but there are real concerns.

Stephensen has the ballhandling and the D, but not the shooting. He's also of course a potential cancer who has not functioned well with big interior centers.

But these are the sorts of imperfect choices we have out there. Whoever we get will have a wart.

I would rather have KMart back. He's would address a couple needs with this teams right off and it's not like McLemore is guarding anyone. We would be getting a top tier scorer (3pt threat) to replace a SG with one of the lowest PER for any starting SG in the league who's inconsistent and frankly has more trade value than what he's worth to us.

 

[hrdboild]

Landry should go, but with JT on his way out Kings have only one quality big man on the roster. He's kinda good, but even he can't log 96 minutes in a 48 minute game.

I would argue that we have one quality big man right now. At least moving 13M per year worth of dead weight allows us a chance of getting some production there. No to mention, with approximately 10 million in cap space this summer, a top 10 draft pick, and 20 million or more in additional cap space next summer surely we can find two front court players to replace Landry and Thompson. Like I said, I'm not trying to solve all of our problem in one go. The PF topic has been beat to death elsewhere.

 

[hrdboild]

Almost any starting SG in the league is better than McLemore.

This was true last season. It's not even close to true this season.

 

[ockingsfan]

Eric Gordon gives me a Marcus Thornton feeling.

So, NO.

 

[Gary]

This was true last season. It's not even close to true this season.

His PER is horrible (almost worst in the league) of any starting SGs. Not to mention his defense sucks, he is inconsistent, and he does not have a very high BBall IQ. Kevin Martin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ben McLemore

 

[hrdboild]

His PER is horrible (almost worst in the league) of any starting SGs. Not to mention his defense sucks, he is inconsistent, and he does not have a very high BBall IQ. Kevin Martin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ben McLemore

Kevin Martin played in 38 games this season. Ben has played in 80. It doesn't matter how good you are if you can't stay on the court. Not to mention, Martin is 10 years older. What you call BBall IQ, I just call experience. McLemore has really struggled for stretches this season and played well for stretches. From three point range this season he shot 42% in November, 39% in December, 25% in January, 37% in February, 36% in March, and 38% in April. That's pretty encouraging overall. At the end of the year his season totals are unimpressive, but he's closing out the season averaging 16, 3, and 3 in April, shooting 50% from the field, 38% from range, and pulling in 2 steals per game. If we're talking about which player I'd rather have starting at SG on my team next season -- 22 year old Ben McLemore closing out the season looking confident or 32 year old Kevin Martin coming off a season where he played 38 games, I'll pick McLemore.