For the third consecutive year, veteran wing Eric Gordon will begin the NBA season on a new team. Earlier this offseason, the 35-year-old joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $6.8 million contract that includes a player option for the 2025-26 season. Now, as Gordon and the 76ers prepare for the 2024-25 campaign, the former Sixth Man of the Year reveals why he joined the 76ers.
In a recent appearance on Jeff Teague‘s podcast, the Club 520 Podcast (YouTube link), Gordon opened up about why he wanted to end up in Philadelphia. Furthermore, he explained why he feels the 76ers can “do something special this year.”
“I wanted a chance to win, and Philly felt like the right spot. I’m familiar with their front office, Daryl Morey and them, and I looked at their team, and it’s like, man, they got Maxey, who’s really evolved. Embiid, obviously, is one of the best players in the world. Then you got Kelly Oubre and Caleb Martin, and you’re looking at a team that could really have a shot. And then you got me, to knock down shots and help create when those guys are creating. It’s a great situation, man. We have all the pieces to do something special this year.”
Eric Gordon Explains Why He Joined the Philadelphia 76ers
Eric Gordon’s Role With the 76ers
It is unlikely that Gordon will start for the team this season. As it stands, Kelly Oubre Jr. is slated to be the team’s starting shooting guard. Additionally, blockbuster addition Paul George will start for the team at small forward. A bench role is one that Gordon has become accustomed to at this point in his career. Furthermore, he still excels at the role. He is not the same player in Sixth Man of the Year discussions back during his Houston Rockets days. However, Gordon is still a solid player. Last season, he averaged 11 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 37.8% from the three-point line.
In addition to still being a legitimate perimeter threat, Gordon is a seasoned veteran with playoff experience. He offers a solid presence in the locker room and could be a mentor to some of the team’s younger players. Most notably, Jared McCain could gain a lot with Gordon’s presence.
Where the 76ers Stand in the East
The 76ers are widely considered one of the three best teams in the Eastern Conference this season, along with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. They had arguably the best offseason of any team this summer, adding Gordon, George, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, and Guerschon Yabusele. Last season, the team finished with a 47-35 record. Though they earned the No. 7 seed, their season was impressive considering that Joel Embiid only played 39 games.
All things considered, the 76ers are one of the best teams in the NBA on paper. Barring any wild circumstances, the team should sit comfortably in the playoff race. Furthermore, they are a legitimate championship contender as well. Philadelphia has not made the NBA Finals since 2001. However, with how their roster looks now, that could change in 2025.
