In the past 12 hours, Philadelphia 76ers fans have been put through the ringer. First, Guerschon Yabusele signed a two-year/$12 million contract [with the New York Knicks](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45630757/sources-knicks-land-c-guerschon-yabusele-2-year-12m-deal). Then, Philadelphia announced that it intends to acquire Eric Gordon on a one-year veteran minimum deal. While the 76ers have pivoted away from older players, Gordon’s return was inevitable due to a sneaky salary cap trick that benefits both parties. Still, Philadelphia fans are far from pleased.
There wasn't a chance Gordon wasn't coming back
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Gordon declined his $3.5 million player option on Sunday, but that wasn’t an indication of his departure. By denying his player option and signing a new one-year veteran minimum contract, he saved the 76ers a minimal amount of money while earning himself a bigger paycheck. Since Gordon is a player with more than 10 years of NBA service, his veteran minimum will total to $3.6 million for the 2025-26 season. However, there’s a catch.
While Gordon’s contract is slightly larger, only $2.3 million will count towards the 76ers’ salary cap. This is because of an exception given by the NBA where it pays the difference between a one-year veteran minimum salary for a player with over three years of service and a veteran minimum for a player with two years of experience ($2.3 million). Regardless of fans’ opinions, Gordon was inevitably returning to Philadelphia next season, whether he accepted his player option or signed a new deal.
It may be a waste of a roster spot
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Still, the fandom has every right to be upset about this considering how underwhelming Gordon was during the 2024-25 season. In 39 contests, he produced 6.8 points per game (career-low) on 59.1% true-shooting, 1.7 assists per game, and 1.2 assists per game. Originally, the 76ers signed him last summer to provide veteran experience and spot-up shooting around the likes of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
However, with Philadelphia’s influx of injuries, Gordon didn’t have enough advantages created for him on a game-to-game basis. As a result, his shooting was inconsistent at best, he seldom attacked close-outs, and he was a liability on the defensive end of the floor. Simply put, Gordon – at 36 years old – was a step slow on both ends of the floor.
If there’s one positive that comes from Gordon’s return, it’s the mentorship he can [provide to V.J. Edgecombe](https://thesixersense.com/76ers-dive-headfirst-into-hottest-nba-trend-with-v-j-edgecombe-selection-01jyj8wp3vbb). They both played for the Bahamian National Team last year and Gordon was in contact with Edgecombe shortly after he was drafted to congratulate him. In a nutshell, he’ll be to Edgecombe what Kyle Lowry was to Jared McCain this past season.