The LA Clippers elected to waive the final year of Eric Gordon's contract to make him an unrestricted free agent. Here are three sensible landing spots.
Eric Gordon was on the books for $21 million in 2023-24 until he wasn't. The Los Angeles Clippers elected to not guarantee the final year of Gordon's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent and saving $110 million in luxury tax penalties along the way.
Gordon will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors. The 34-year-old is a step slower than he used to be, but he still started 47 games for Houston last season and averaged 24.9 minutes per game in varying roles for the Clippers after the trade deadline.
The Clippers would have preferred to keep Gordon on the books, but that number — and the pursuant tax — were simply too high. Now, Gordon will have his pick of contenders in need of cheap 3-and-D wings to fill out their rotations.
Here are three potential destinations that make the most sense.
No. 3 potential Eric Gordon landing spot: Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers' financial outlook will depend largely on the size and length of James Harden's contract if the All-Star guard does indeed return. Gordon could probably fetch a decent payday, but no contender is going to spend top dollar — or even the full mid-level exception — for Gordon's services. One has to imagine the vet is interested in winning after toiling away in Houston for a couple years.
Well, what better locale than Houston East. The Sixers have remained steadfast in their commitment to reassembling Daryl Morey's Rockets dream team on the east coast. Gordon has familiarity with Harden, P.J. Tucker, and Danuel House. Jr. — plus he's just an obvious basketball fit for what the Sixers need.
Gordon's defense has declined in recent years; that's always the first area of slippage with undersized guards in the advanced stages of their career. Despite being listed at 6-foot-4, however, Gordon has a wide base and excellent positional strength. He's comfortable guarding bigger wings and he should be able to share the floor with Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and De'Anthony Melton.
On the offensive end, Gordon remains a knockdown 3-point shooter with deeeeeep range spotting up. That's all Philly needs to know. Embiid and Harden have both experienced the greatest success of their careers when surrounded by shooters. Gordon can also dribble, pass, and attack closeouts — a nifty set of attributes shared by strikingly few members of the current roster outside the 'Core Four.'
No. 2 potential Eric Gordon landing spot: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are perpetually in the market for title-hungry vets who are at all intrigued by the idea of playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Eric Gordon's former agent also happens to run the team, so there's a built-in connection. Los Angeles was four wins away from the Finals and Gordon would be able to keep whatever house/condo/apartment he started renting in LA last season.
Basketball-wise, the fit is strong. LeBron can get the most out of Gordon as a spot-up shooter. Meanwhile, the veteran's comfort level handling the ball and running actions with the second unit could make him a strong addition with Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder, and D'Angelo Russell all hitting the free agent market simultaneously.
Gordon can fit rather seamlessly into any rotation, no matter which guards do and don't return. Gordon's days as full-time starter are over, but the Lakers were very reliant on experienced players last season and Gordon would have a clean avenue to important minutes on a winning team.
One potential factor to monitor here is the contract status of Malik Beasley, who could make north of $16 million next season if the Lakers exercise his team option. Beasley was out of the rotation once the playoffs arrived, but he can eat minutes in the regular season while bombing away from 3-point range. How the Lakers proceed with his deal could directly influence the kind of role they can promise Gordon.
No. 1 potential Eric Gordon landing spot: Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have financial complications to consider and the looming free agency of multiple key rotation pieces to deal with. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are both expected to chase lucrative contracts elsewhere. Kevin Love, who spent a portion of last season in the starting five, is also free to leave when the moratorium ends on July 1.
Is there a better destination for veteran guards looking to squeeze quality, competitive basketball out of their waning years than Miami? The Heat play rock-solid team basketball, always making the small efforts and playing with absolute synergy. Miami was three wins away from the championship as the No. 8 seed, riding a miraculous wave of frenzied defense, red-hot shooting, and Jimmy Butler stardom to the doorstep of the promised land. It's not hard to see the appeal for a player like Gordon.
The Heat would have rotation minutes available for Gordon, especially if Strus and Vincent both leave. Duncan Robinson was resurgent in the playoffs but he spent much of the regular season riding the bench due to poor defense. Gordon is a strong positional defender with years of winning experience under his belt. He also brings that uniquely deep range to change the geometry of Miami's offense, which struggled to produce from 3-point range in the regular season.
Miami still has other guards who could eat away at Gordon's minutes load, such as Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, and Victor Oladipo. We've all heard the Damian Lillard rumblings too. That said, the Heat have built such an undeniable culture of success that it's difficult not to peg them as a great destination both on and off the court. The added benefit of being located in Maimi, FL is another box checked in their favor.
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