The Phoenix Suns could choose to run it back.
Their roster is two years removed from an NBA Finals appearance, and retaining the core will come with increasingly painful financial costs.
But there is little room to ride the thin rail between going all-in and trying to keep the checkbook sustainable.
If we’re looking into what going-all-in looks like, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst on Tuesday presented one scenario that would certainly not be a cheap move on Phoenix’s part.
Brian Windhorst with some intel on the following teams in regards to trades leading up to draft night:
Hawks
Rockets
Sixers
Suns
Hornets#NBATwitter #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/T1KtgO616f— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) June 21, 2022
“Keep an eye on the Houston Rockets … A bit of an Eric Gordon sweepstakes in play,” Windhorst said on ESPN. “Couple of teams I’ve heard interested: the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns — Chris Paul looking for a potential reunion with his former teammate there.”
Gordon is set to make $19.6 million in 2022-23 with $20.9 million as part of a nonguaranteed year in 2023-24.
The 33-year-old averaged 13.4 points and 2.7 assists while shooting 41% from three-point range last season for the Rockets.
He played in Houston alongside Paul from 2017-19.
Gordon was linked to the Suns before the February trade deadline. If he joined the Suns as the roster currently stands, he would immediately slide in as the No. 3 guard with the capabilities to play alongside either Paul or Devin Booker.
Gordon would take pressure off both players with his deep range and off-the-bounce game. Despite his age, he’s still able to get to the rim: He took 134 rim attempts on 68% shooting, not far off the 219 attempts on 64% in 2018-19.