3 NBA contenders that could absolutely use Eric Gordon

No. 1 potential Eric Gordon landing spot: Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have financial complications to consider and the looming free agency of multiple key rotation pieces to deal with. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are both expected to chase lucrative contracts elsewhere. Kevin Love, who spent a portion of last season in the starting five, is also free to leave when the moratorium ends on July 1.

Is there a better destination for veteran guards looking to squeeze quality, competitive basketball out of their waning years than Miami? The Heat play rock-solid team basketball, always making the small efforts and playing with absolute synergy. Miami was three wins away from the championship as the No. 8 seed, riding a miraculous wave of frenzied defense, red-hot shooting, and Jimmy Butler stardom to the doorstep of the promised land. It’s not hard to see the appeal for a player like Gordon.

The Heat would have rotation minutes available for Gordon, especially if Strus and Vincent both leave. Duncan Robinson was resurgent in the playoffs but he spent much of the regular season riding the bench due to poor defense. Gordon is a strong positional defender with years of winning experience under his belt. He also brings that uniquely deep range to change the geometry of Miami’s offense, which struggled to produce from 3-point range in the regular season.

Miami still has other guards who could eat away at Gordon’s minutes load, such as Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, and Victor Oladipo. We’ve all heard the Damian Lillard rumblings too. That said, the Heat have built such an undeniable culture of success that it’s difficult not to peg them as a great destination both on and off the court. The added benefit of being located in Maimi, FL is another box checked in their favor.

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