Feb 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) walks off the court after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Eric Gordon Declines Player Option: Potential Houston Rockets Reunion?

Originally posted on Houston Rockets on SI | By Jed Katz | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 5:34 PM ET

The NBA offseason is in full swing with teams and players making decisions regarding free agency. The Houston Rockets, who have been stealing headlines after trading for Kevin Durant, are looking to improve upon a 52-30 2024-25 season with the young core making a huge leap.

The Rockets could look to bring in supplementary pieces to support Durant, Alperen Sengun, and the rest of the core through free agency. One need Houston has is shooting, as the team ranked toward the bottom in multiple categories this past season.

A notable shooter on the market this summer is former Rockets guard Eric Gordon. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Gordon is declining his $3.4 million to hit unrestricted free agency.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon is declining his $3.4 million player option to explore free agency, sources tell ESPN. A return to the 76ers is still possible.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

Gordon, who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers, has built a career on elite three-point shooting. He averaged 6.8 points on 40.9% shooting from deep this past year, but leading up to the 2024-25 season, he had never dipped below 11 points per game in his career. It's important to note he was receiving just 19.7 minutes across 39 games.

The Rockets could use shooting such as Gordon's, and he could be a cheap contract off the bench. In seven seasons with Houston, the 36-year-old averaged 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while being a key member of multiple playoff runs.

Gordon could also be a veteran presence for the locker room along with Durant and Jeff Green, who Houston intends to bring back. Gordon also has experience playing with current Rockets such as Sengun, Tari Eason, Jae'Sean Tate, and Jabari Smith Jr.

Gordon could draw interest from older, more competitive teams around the league, but he's getting older, and his stats have dipped from previous seasons. He was a valuable piece with the Rockets, LA Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans, but his stints with the 76ers and Phoenix Suns were underwhelming.

With his next contract likely to be cheap, plus the Rockets looking to save money with Durant's extension looming and Fred VanVleet's new two-year, $50 million contract, Gordon could be a great veteran option for Houston in free agency.

This article first appeared on Houston Rockets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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