7:43pm: The Grizzlies only have about $8MM+ in cap room, but would make an effort to clear more space if Gordon decides he wants to sign with the team, tweets ESPN’s Marc Stein.
6:58pm: Gordon is expected to finalize an agreement tonight, according to Scott Agness of VigilantSports (Twitter link), who says Gordon’s choice is down to the Knicks and Grizzlies.
1:42am: The Knicks are reportedly nearing an agreement with one of the top free agent bigs on the market, Joakim Noah, and have now identified a top perimeter target as well. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (via Twitter), the Knicks are focusing on Eric Gordon and are discussing the parameters of a possible contract.
Marc Berman of The New York Post reported earlier in the evening that Derrick Rose has reached out to Gordon in an attempt to recruit him to New York. A source informed Berman that the idea of pursuing the veteran shooting guard is gaining traction within the organization.
Gordon, 27, is a talented scorer when he’s healthy, having averaged 16.6 PPG with a .383 3PT% over the course of his eight-year NBA career. However, in those eight seasons, he has played just 417 total games, or about 52 per year. During his five seasons in New Orleans, Gordon never played more than 64 games in a season, having dealt with multiple injuries.
While Gordon’s injury history will likely scare some potential suitors away, those health concerns could also help keep his price down. Even if they finalize a deal with Noah, the Knicks should have in the neighborhood of $15MM in cap space available to address their backcourt or wing spots.
The Magic are also expected to have interest in Gordon, along with the Rockets, Pelicans, and Grizzlies.
Don’t like the fit with him and Derrick Rose together necessarily. Plus, the injury histories of what their roster would look like would be scary.
Hopefully not Alan Houston mk. II!
I think the fit would be fine, with Gordon being a knock down shooter to space the floor, although I’m sure they could find someone else that is just as good with a less serious injury history.
The Knicks are going to put together a lineup that you say, “if they were healthy…” and likely wonder what if. Rose, Noah and Gordon is basically saying you want to disappoint your fans in a couple years if you don’t immediately.
Personally can’t fault what the Knicks are doing here. If I was Melo I’d be pretty happy with these moves.
Its almost like the NBA is reading last years injury report instead of a actual free agent list
Knicks*
Hello 44 Wins.
Goodbye long-term relevance.
Eric Gordon when healthy is as automatic as they come. A tremendous shooter who can fill it up from anywhere. Very much underrated. If he can remain healthy he would be a tremendous asset to the Knicks as he frees up everyone else.
were 8 years and and he hasnt remained healthy, i think were past the point of “if he can remain healthy”
in*
He can’t stay healthy.
In other news the Knicks medical team just resigned to max deals
Lol
How do the Grizzlies have any cap space left after giving two max contracts?
They could wait on finalizing Conley’s deal — he’s just a $14MM-ish cap hold for now. Very rough math, but I think they might have about $10MM or so left over to offer Gordon, though that would require renouncing free agents and cutting all their non-guaranteed contracts.
Ahh ok that makes sense, was thinking maybe they could trade away Vince Carter/Brandon Wright