Daryl Morey favorite has become the most underrated signing of 2024

Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has finally moved the organization beyond the decisions made by previous regimes. He's traded Ben Simmons, parted ways with Doc Rivers, and most recently allowed Tobias Harris to walk in free agency.

Understanding the expedited timeline along which he's been tasked with operating, Morey has aggressively reinvested the money saved—even reuniting with an overlooked gem of a signing.

Morey made waves during the 2024 offseason by signing superstar forward Paul George to a four-year, $211,584,940 deal. It was the biggest acquisition of the summer, with the future Hall of Famer making the move to Philadelphia to play alongside MVP winner Joel Embiid and All-Star Tyrese Maxey.

For as prolific a move as it was, it overshadowed the key acquisition of one of Morey's favorite former players: Eric Gordon.

Gordon signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $6,772,731 contract. He'll turn 36 in December and is understandably expected to provide less than he did during his prime, but it was a move that quietly opened the door for Philadelphia to thrive beyond the scope of its Big Three.

Morey has never been averse to taking chances on players and ideologies that can get his team closer to its ultimate goal of winning it all, and adding Gordon is a shining example of how it could pay off.

Eric Gordon could be the ultimate X-Factor in 2024-25

In 2016, when injury concerns were the main focus of his league-wide reputation, Gordon signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Morey's Houston Rockets. He immediately rewarded Morey's faith by winning Sixth Man of the Year during his first season with the team.

The very next season, Gordon helped Morey's Rockets win a franchise record 65 games and reach the Western Conference Finals.

Fast forward to 2024-25 and Gordon is past his prime and not quite the athlete he used to be. What remains of the player that Morey saw something special in, however, are the characteristics that can unlock Philadelphia's potential as a team this coming season.

A sharpshooting guard with a history of explosive scoring performances in the postseason, Gordon could prove to be one of the 76ers' most important players after the Big Three.

Gordon finished the 2023-24 season averaging 11.0 points, 2.0 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.2 three-point field goals made on .443/.378/.797 shooting. He did so on a Phoenix Suns team that lacked a true point guard and played 29 games without star shot creator Bradley Beal.

In Philadelphia, Gordon could thrive as a sharpshooting guard who can create space for Embiid on the low block and receive open shots from willing passers in George and Maxey.

Depending on a 36-year-old guard to help push a team over the top isn't the safest of team-building decisions, but that doesn't mean Philadelphia won't benefit from his presence. The second unit will need to provide adequate production behind the star-studded starting lineup, and Gordon is the scoring threat who can provide stability.

Gordon may not be as explosive as Kelly Oubre Jr. or as defensively inclined as Caleb Martin, but his postseason experience on a Morey-built team will be crucial for Philadelphia in 2025.