Veteran guard Eric Gordon became an unrestricted free agent after the Memphis Grizzlies waived him on February 6, 2026. He spent just one day in Memphis after the team acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5 in a trade centered on clearing salary for Philly.
At 37, Gordon can sign with any team except the 76ers for the remainder of the season. His minutes have dipped in recent years, but he still spaces the floor and knocks down shots at a high level. Any contender looking to strengthen its bench scoring should take a hard look at him, and the Boston Celtics make plenty of sense as a potential landing spot.
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Eric Gordon’s Recent NBA Journey
Gordon barely saw the floor before the trade in 2025–26. He played just six games for Philadelphia and averaged 5.5 points in 12.3 minutes a night. The role stayed small, but he made the most of it. He knocked down 57.1 percent of his threes during that stretch, showing his shot still has real bite.
After the deal, Memphis moved quickly and waived him, giving Gordon control over his next stop. At this point, he’s no longer a featured scorer. He fills a specific role. And in the playoffs, that kind of shooting specialist can swing a game.
Why the Celtics Are a Logical Fit
Boston reshaped its roster this season, mostly because of luxury tax concerns and Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles, which has kept him sidelined all year. The front office dealt away several rotation pieces to stay under the tax line, and that decision left the Celtics with open roster spots and thin depth on the wing.
Even so, Boston has held its ground. The team enters the All-Star break at 35-19, hovering near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The core remains intact and capable, but the bench lacks experienced veterans who can tilt a game with a specific strength.
That’s exactly why Gordon makes sense here.
What Eric Gordon Still Brings to the Table
At 37, Gordon doesn’t blow past defenders or clamp down on speedy guards the way he once did. His burst has faded, so teams have to manage his minutes carefully. Still, his shot hasn’t gone anywhere.
He sits among the league’s active leaders in career three-pointers with more than 2,000 makes and has hit 37.3 percent from deep over his career. Defenses still close out hard on him, and that spacing changes everything. When Gordon plays, opponents stay attached, giving players like Jaylen Brown and Nikola Vučević more room to work.
He also carries 104 games of playoff experience. That kind of seasoning matters, especially when young bench pieces like Baylor Scheierman and Hugo González haven’t dealt with postseason intensity yet.
How He Fits in Boston’s Rotation
Gordon wouldn’t need heavy minutes to make an impact. Slot him in as a catch-and-shoot weapon who moves without the ball, finds open space, and makes defenses pay for lapses. Boston has played at a slower tempo this season and often struggles to create easy scoring chances. A seasoned shooter who thrives without dominating possessions could steady a few shaky lineups.
He also brings the ability to swing a playoff quarter in a matter of minutes if he catches fire. Players who offer that kind of instant offense rarely come at the minimum.
Key Benefits for Boston
Gordon stretches the floor with his shooting, which forces defenders to stick close to him and opens up driving lanes while giving big men cleaner touches in the post. He brings close to 20 years of NBA experience and has handled plenty of high-pressure playoff moments.
A team like Boston could sign him to a veteran minimum deal, add reliable depth, and avoid pushing further into the tax. Even if he doesn’t play every night, coaches can plug him into specific matchups when they need instant spacing and shot-making.
Final Thoughts
Eric Gordon isn’t the explosive scorer he used to be, but Boston doesn’t need him to carry that load. The Celtics need spacing and experience off the bench, especially with a tight rotation and questions surrounding Tatum’s return. Gordon still brings shot-making and playoff reps, and he can do it on an affordable deal.
If Boston wants to make a smart, low-cost move that could pay off in May and June, bringing in Gordon is a gamble that makes sense.
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