Despite giving up assets for him, the Clippers decided opted not to guarantee Eric Gordon‘s $21 million contract last week. This move to cut the 34-year-old saved Los Angeles over $100 million on its projected tax bill.
However, Gordon’s agents, Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of CAA Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski about the new deal. His deal is for $6 million over the two years with a player option in the last year.
The veteran guard was on the Rockets from 2016 to 2023, as the Clippers traded guards Luke Kennard and John Wall for Gordon. This also involved a pick swap in the 2023 NBA Draft with Houston moving up ten spots from pick 30 to 20, which had them taking Villanova forward Cam Whitmore. Los Angeles drafted guard Kobe Brown from Missouri with the 30th overall pick.
Shortly after the Gordon move was made, ESPN’s Bobby Marks states that it reduced the Clippers’ projected tax bill from $169 million to $59 million. This sort of jump in tax is possible due to the rate increase for every $5 million of salary above the tax level, and it is way higher for repeater teams.
The Clippers are an example of a team being on the repeater tax, as they are known for spending big and are penalized with stricter roster-building rules by the new collective bargaining agreement. They had to do a salary dump essentially with Gordon, as he played valuable minutes for the team this past season.
The former Clipper averaged 11 points and 42.3% 3-point shooting in 22 regular-season games since he was acquired from the Rockets in February of this year. Record-wise, they were right behind the Suns last year, going 44-38, and were fifth in the Western Conference.
Gordon had heavy interest once he was available once he was cut from the team that drafted him. He became one of the top free agents once he was waived and hit the market, as he joins a loaded roster looking for a championship next season.
He was almost on the Suns before, as Gordon signed a four-year, nearly $60 million offer sheet in Phoenix before it was matched by New Orleans back in 2012. The former Pelican was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year back in 2017 with the Rockets and has been an established journeyman that can provide depth for a win-now Phoenix team.
Their roster, other than the Suns’ core four, has been rearranged through the draft, trades, and free agency. This is an easy potential playoff team, as last season they were fourth-best in the Western Conference, going 45-37.
The main four take up most of their cap space, as adding a veteran among the young players on the Phoenix roster should prove to be valuable. Names like forward Kevin Durant, guard Devin Booker, center Deandre Ayton, and recently traded for guard Bradley Beal headline the Sun’s roster.
Back in June, Phoenix acquired Beal and guard Jordan Goodwin, and forward Isaiah Todd from Washington in a three-team deal that also included the Pacers. The Suns sent guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet, five future second-round picks, four future pick swaps, and cash considerations to the Wizards. Phoenix sent one future second-round pick to Indiana and Washington also sent a future second-round pick to Indiana.
In the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, the Suns selected Dayton forward Toumani Camara and in free agency, have picked up forwards Keita Bates-Diop and Yuta Watanabe. Phoenix also signed the center Drew Eubanks, along with Chimezie Metu, giving depth versatility playing forward or center. Even in a crowded room, Gordon is looking to make some noise as a valuable role player.
