New Orleans Pelicans’ Rumors: Redick for Gordon Makes no Sense

New Orleans Pelicans: Eric Gordon is too old and too injured

Getting a younger player for J.J. Redick may seem like a home run, but not if that player is Eric Gordon.

Gordon is already 31-years-old himself, and while that is not ancient by NBA standards, he doesn’t fit with the Pelicans’ timeline much better than Redick, especially when you consider his injury history.

Gordon played 78 games in his rookie season for the Los Angeles Clippers, but has barely sniffed a full season since. Gordon has played in fewer than 65 games eight times in his 12-year career, including seasons where he played nine games, 42 and 49 games.

He has only played in 34 games this season, and has had a career of injuries that show no sign of going away as he gets older.

Redick has been an ironman in comparison, especially the last six seasons when he has been relatively injury free. He has missed time this year with a hamstring, but is expected to return at full strength.

Even though Redick is older, I would almost bet that he will play in more games over the next three seasons than Gordon, who seems to always be injured.

This is one of those situations where the younger player is not necessarily the more durable one, and the Pelicans could end up taking on all those extra years of salary for a guy who barely plays.

Calling this move risky would be a euphemism. Trading for a guy of Gordon’s age and injury history would not just be risky, it would be plain stupid.

This is especially true when you factor in his fit on the team and the fact that he plays for a division rival.