After taking a look at this current iteration of the Philadelphia 76ers roster, one can safely say that Daryl Morey definitely showed some degree of favoritism. He will never admit it, but there are certain players who are still part of the lineup simply because of their lasting relationships with the longtime executive.
Case in point? Look no further than Eric Gordon, who is now in his 18th season as a professional. he is going to hit 37 years of age in a couple of months, yet the front office willingly handed him another one-year deal during the summer despite everyone expecting him to be one of the odd men out among the team’s then-impending free agents.
But to the surprise of many, the front office bound itself to another go-round with the veteran guard. However, with each passing game, it becomes all the more apparent that he no longer has any place on the team. He did not even get to play a single second during the team’s first game despite them missing the services of Jared McCain.
As such, the 76ers should stop delaying the inevitable and immediately show Gordon the way out as soon as practicable. It is the only logical thing to do with the veteran.
The 76ers should part ways with Eric Gordon as soon as possible
In continuing to play house to Gordon, the 76ers are merely wasting a roster spot which could be much better off given to another deserving and younger player. Pegged as a sharpshooter, Gordon is no longer someone who can put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.
Gordon is only a one-trick pony at this point, and even his best trait, which is his three-point shooting, can be replicated by many players still available for taking. He can no longer take the ball to the rim unlike in years past, and he has never been one to show acuity as a playmaker.
On defense, he is a traffic cone. He is way too small for the coaching staff to viably latch him onto bigger players in their switch schemes. He is a liability on that end and that will continue to be the case as his career starts to fade away.
However, the 76ers are not retirement home, and given that the roster still has some issues to address, parting ways with an unusable piece in Eric Gordon will free up the required roster spot for them to even think about making a move.