The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to part ways with veteran guard Eric Gordon, according to league sources - a move that signals the likely end of a brief and quiet stint in Memphis for the 18-year NBA veteran.
Gordon, who was acquired in a salary-shedding trade from Philadelphia, appeared in just six games for the Grizzlies this season. The deal was less about on-court impact and more about financial maneuvering, with Memphis picking up a second-round pick swap from the 76ers in the process. Now, just weeks later, the Grizzlies appear ready to move on.
The 37-year-old is on a minimum-salary contract worth $3.6 million this season, though his cap hit is a more modest $2.3 million. If and when Memphis waives him, Gordon would be free to sign with any team - with the exception of Philadelphia, due to league rules barring a return to his most recent former team within the same season.
Gordon’s résumé is nothing short of impressive. The seventh overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, he’s put together a career that spans nearly two decades, logging 931 regular season games with averages of 15.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game. He’s done it with efficiency too, shooting 43% from the field, 37.3% from three, and just over 80% from the free-throw line.
But while the career numbers are strong, recent seasons have told a different story. Gordon hasn’t been a consistent rotation piece for a couple of years now, and with his role shrinking, so too has the demand for his services. Whether another team sees value in adding a veteran shooter and locker-room presence remains to be seen.
For Memphis, this is less about Gordon’s ability and more about the reality of a roster in transition. With injuries piling up and young players needing minutes, the Grizzlies are clearly prioritizing development and flexibility. Gordon, a proven scorer in his prime and a respected voice in the locker room, simply didn’t fit into those long-term plans.
If this is the end of the road for Gordon in Memphis - and possibly in the league - it caps off a career defined by scoring bursts, tough shot-making, and a steady presence across multiple franchises. Whether he gets one more shot elsewhere or not, Gordon’s NBA journey has already left a lasting mark.