OAKLAND — The Golden State Warriors just pulled off one of the sneakiest veteran acquisitions of the season.
In a lightning-fast sequence that has NBA insiders scrambling, Eric Gordon — the 18-year veteran sharpshooter who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Memphis Grizzlies at the deadline — was waived by the Grizzlies to shed his $3.63 million salary. After clearing the 48-hour waiver wire, Gordon is now an unrestricted free agent… and the Warriors are ready to pounce with a short-term minimum deal that could be the final spark for Stephen Curry’s 2026 championship chase.
This isn’t a trade. This is a heist.
Golden State has been scouring the buyout and waiver market for weeks, looking for one more proven perimeter threat who actually understands playoff spacing. They just found him in Gordon — a career 37% three-point shooter who has spent the last decade punishing defenses that dare to help off him.
How the Warriors landed their new sniper
Memphis waived Gordon immediately after acquiring him in the deadline deal, purely to dump the salary and gain future draft capital. No team claimed him on waivers. Now the 37-year-old is free to sign anywhere — and the Warriors have both the open roster spot (after adding Pat Spencer and Quinten Post) and the financial flexibility to absorb the full $3.63 million hit without blinking.
For a tax-paying contender chasing a ring, that price is basically pocket change.
The perfect Curry complement
Stephen Curry still runs the show in Golden State, but the second unit has lacked a true off-ball assassin who can stretch the floor without killing ball movement. Gordon is exactly that guy.
Career numbers don’t lie:
- 15.2 points per game
- 37.0% from three (on high volume)
- 2.7 assists
- 931 regular-season games
- Deep playoff pedigree (including Houston’s 2018 Western Conference Finals run against these same Warriors)
He just shot a ridiculous 57.1% from the field in his brief six-game stint with Philadelphia this season, proving the stroke is still pure. At this stage of his career he doesn’t need the ball in his hands — he just needs screens, space, and open looks. That’s music to Curry’s ears.
Put Gordon behind Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield and suddenly the Warriors’ bench has a legitimate scoring punch that forces defenses to stay honest. Extra help on Curry? Gordon punishes it from the corner. Switch everything? He’s still a threat. The spacing he creates will open driving lanes for Curry, Kuminga, and the rest of the attack.
Pros and cons — the honest breakdown
Pros • Elite catch-and-shoot spacing that makes Curry even more unstoppable • 18 seasons of playoff experience — he’s been to the deepest rounds • Veteran leadership for young guards like Podziemski, Spencer, and the rest of the backcourt • Dirt-cheap for what he still brings
Cons • Age 37 — durability is the only real question mark (expect 15–20 minutes per night) • Defense is no longer a strength; he can be targeted in switches • The Warriors are already guard-heavy, so minutes will be precious
The role is crystal clear
Born December 25, 1988, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed shooting guard knows exactly what this opportunity is: a chance to chase one last ring in a defined, low-usage role. He’ll come off the bench as a three-point specialist, work off screens, and serve as a mentor to the young perimeter players. No ego, no drama — just shots.
Who wins if this deal gets done?
The Warriors get a low-risk, high-reward shooter who fits their system like a glove and gives them another reliable weapon for the postseason grind. Gordon gets one final shot at a title on a contender that actually needs what he still does best. Memphis clears cap space and gains future assets. Philly already used the trade to create luxury-tax breathing room.
Bottom line: this is the exact type of savvy, veteran minimum move that championship teams make in February.
The Warriors were already dangerous. Now they just added a proven sniper who knows exactly how to play with Stephen Curry.
The Bay Area is buzzing. The 2026 title run just got a whole lot more realistic.
Welcome to Golden State, Eric Gordon. The heist is complete.