Report: Veteran guard to decline player option with Suns

Phoenix Suns veteran guard Eric Gordon will reportedly decline his player option for the 2024-25 season.

Gordon was reported by The Athletic’s Kelly Iko to be “50-50” on opting in our out of his option just a few days ago. Iko added Gordon is also interested in a reunion with the Houston Rockets. Later that day, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro posted that he did not expect Gordon back on the Suns next season.

Gordon has a June 29 deadline to officially make a decision after signing a two-year veteran minimum deal with the Suns last summer that included this player option for the 2024-25 season.

Four Suns players—Gordon, Drew Eubanks, Josh Okogie and Damion Lee—all have this same June 29 deadline to decide on their player options.

Sidery reports that Lee will opt in, while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Eubanks will decline his option.

Gordon, who will be going into his 17th NBA season in the fall, was given the title of “senior advisor” on the Suns this past season. He is currently in training camp with Team Bahamas ahead of their Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain on July 2.

In his first regular season in Phoenix, the 35-year-old veteran averaged a career-low 11.0 points on 44/38/80 splits in 68 games (24 starts).

Phoenix finished 49-33 last season and was swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

If Gordon is to opt out and Lee is to opt in, the Suns will have four guards under contract for next season: Lee, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen. General manager and president of basketball operations James Jones said at last month’s introductory press conference for new coach Mike Budenholzer that the team will be looking to add shooting this offseason.

Phoenix will look to fill its roster holes in this week’s NBA Draft (June 26), in which it holds the No. 22 overall pick, in free agency that begins on June 30 and through the trade market.