2 Southwest Division Players Expected To Be Traded Before The Deadline

The NBA Trade Deadline is less than a month away and there is lots of chatter surrounding practically every team in the NBA. At this point in the season, most teams know (or at least think that they know) if they are going to be contenders this season and should look to add to their core, or if they have no legitimate chance at a title and should offload some expiring contracts for future assets. Here are 2 players from the Central Division who have had their names brought up when discussing potential trades:

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Derrick White - San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are virtually eliminated from playoff contention already, currently sitting six games behind the 8th-seeded Lakers with an 18-30 record. One of the lone bright spots this season has been the improvement in starting point guard Dejounte Murray, who is playing at an All-Star level with career highs in nearly every statistical category. The 25-year-old is averaging 19.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists and has a contract that will keep him in San Antonio for another two seasons after this one, at least. With the emergence of Murray, plus the Spurs recent drafting of shooting guards Devin Vassell (11th overall, 2020) and Joshua Primo (12th overall, 2021), the Spurs have little reason to keep combo guard Derrick White, unless he is willing to accept a role as an expensive 6th man. The Spurs don't need two guards in the starting lineup who aren't consistent 3-point shooters in Murray (.328 career 3P%) and White (.340 career 3P%), and the three years left on his contract with an average cap hit of $17.5 million per season could be dealt for picks and expiring contracts before the deadline.

Eric Gordon - Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets' Eric Gordon has three years left on his contract, though just two are guaranteed, and it makes zero sense for the veteran sharpshooter to spend his twilight years as part of a woeful, rebuilding Rockets team. The former NBA 3-Point Shootout Champion is shooting a blazing 44.5% on 5.1 attempts this season, and also has his highest assist rate since the 2014-15 season. Gordon brings a trifecta of shooting, defence and a veteran presence that nearly every contending team should be looking for ahead of next month's trade deadline, which is just 15 days away. Teams should be tripping over themselves with offers trying to persuade the Rockets to trade the 33-year-old shooting guard.