7 Role players Celtics could target to complement Jayson Tatum

1. Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon is a true veteran who knows his role. Gordon has proven capable of being a third banana if need be, or he can be a role player on a team loaded with superstars.

Gordon was the third-best player on the Rockets’ title contending teams of yesteryear, behind James Harden and Chris Paul, followed by Russell Westbrook, and rises to the occasion in the postseason. In fact, he’s made some of the biggest shots in Rockets’ postseason history and was the team’s second best player when they last faced the Golden State Warriors in the postseason.

Gordon was traded to the LA Clippers at the deadline last year and averaged 11 points, 42.3 percent from deep (on a healthy 9.9 attempts, and a career-best 62.9 percent true shooting, on a team loaded with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, who were all above him in the pecking order.

Gordon signed with the Phoenix Suns in the offseason, to the surprise of just about everyone, as he could’ve netted a much larger pay day than the $3.2 million he received in 2023-24.

EG technically could return to Phoenix, as he has a player option in 2024-25, worth $3.4 million. But he’s already voiced his displeasure with not having a large enough role on the Suns and he could easily get the same pay range from another team.

It's clear that EG is taking less to increase his chances at winning a championship, as his career dwindles down.

Gordon is still valuable, as he’s averaged 12.5 points, 38.9 percent from three (6.4 attempts), and 59.4 percent true shooting, on a Suns team that has Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

He still provides good defense and long-range shooting, which the Celtics could use more of.