by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
The New Orleans are determined to hang on to restricted free agent Eric Gordon, no matter the cost. Gordon, though, isn’t as enthusiastic about the idea.
EG has agreed to a maximum contract offer from the Phoenix Suns ($58 million over a span of four years), and Gordon claims that Phoenix is where his “heart is now.”
Thing is, though, the New Orleans Hornets plan (and have always planned) to match any and all offers for Gordon, regardless of where his heart may be.
Per the Times-Picayune:
New Orleans Hornets restricted free agent shooting guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a four-year, $58 million offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns, sources confirmed Tuesday night. Gordon will sign the offer sheet on July 11 and the Hornets will have three days to match it. Gordon was seeking a max-money contract, but the Hornets are the only team that can extend him a five-year, $79 million deal. In January, the Hornets offered Gordon a four-year, $50 million extension, but he turned it down to pursue free agency.
Hornets General Manager Dell Demps has said since the free agency period began last weekend that Gordon remains a priority to be re-signed. Sources say the Hornets will match the offer.
Eric Gordon, according to several published reports, wanted to have a decision made before heading to Vegas for Team USA practices later this week. The ball is now very much in the Hornets’ court.
