The Los Angeles Clippers took the NBA by surprise after it was revealed on Wednesday that they had decided to waive the services of veteran guard Eric Gordon. The former Sixth Man of the Year winner was supposed to pocket a whopping $19.6 million in 2023-24 — an amount that the Clippers could not justify given their current salary cap conundrum. Unsurprisingly, NBA rumors have been rife about where Eric Gordon could end up now that he’s available on the market.
According to reports, the Milwaukee Bucks have emerged as one of the teams that are interested in acquiring the services of the 34-year-old.
Bucks Among Six Teams That Are In The Mix For Eric Gordon
NBA insider Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Bucks are keeping tabs on Gordon’s current situation. Milwaukee will have their work cut out for them, though, with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Portland Trail Blazers also showing “early interest” in the 6-foot-3 shooting guard.
Obviously, the Bucks will have a lot of competition in the race to sign Eric Gordon, which given his track record, is no surprise at all. The former No. 7 overall pick is no superstar, but he has the ability to make a significant impact on a team that is looking to contend for a title this coming season. Milwaukee will need to act quickly and decisively if they’re serious about bringing him on board.
How Will Eric Gordon Potentially Fit In With The Bucks?
At this point in his career, Eric Gordon is no longer the elite scoring threat he once was. The 15-year veteran can still get hot on any given occasion, but he’s not exactly going to give you 20 points every night. Last season, Gordon averaged a career-low 12.4 points per game on 44.6 percent shooting, to go along with 1.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He’s still pretty efficient from deep, though, knocking down 1.9 triples per contest on a 37.1-percent clip, which is probably the best asset he brings to the table.
In spite of the substantial decline in Gordon’s production, the Bucks would still benefit from the addition of the sharp-shooting veteran, especially if they get him at a bargain. Iko’s report also indicates that Gordon has prioritized having “an outlined role with a contender,” which is something Milwaukee can offer. Then again, the same is the case for the other teams mentioned in the report.
Khris Middleton barely figured in Milwaukee’s offense this past season, with the three-time All-Star dealing with multiple injuries throughout the year. Middleton is entering free agency as well, and according to NBA rumors, it’s possible that he finds employment elsewhere. A guy like Gordon could definitely step in and fill the void. He won’t be a one-for-one replacement for Middleton, but Gordon should be able to help with the Bucks’ shooting woes.
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