The Phoenix Suns will extend a big offer to Eric Gordon, and the New Orleans Hornets are all prepared to match it. Marc Stein of ESPN has the report of the max contract.
On top of all Kaman & Brook Lopez madness, Suns announce they've formally signed RFA G Eric Gordon to expected four-year, $58M offer sheet
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012
Hornets now have 3 days to match EGordon offer sheet. They definitely will but early indications I get is they'll make PHX wait full 3 days
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012
Because the Hornets have committed to keeping the disgruntled Gordon rather than trading him, the Suns submitted the offer sheet, which kills any chance at a sign-and-trade deal. The only way Phoenix ends up with Gordon is if the Hornets reverse their public stance on matching that offer sheet to Gordon. It wouldn't be the most surprising turn of events, as Gordon has indicated he isn't happy with the way the organization has treated him.
If the Suns aren't able to keep Gordon, this probably means they'll go after another shooting guard, as they're critically low on depth at that position. O.J. Mayo has been a name long-circulated around as Phoenix's next target, and the Suns could use a solid two-guard to pair with Goran Dragic to make his transition easier to being the new starting point of the organization.
Here is the official statement from the Suns organization on signing Gordon to this offer sheet.
The Phoenix Suns have signed restricted free agent guard Eric Gordon to an offer sheet, the club announced today. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the New Orleans Hornets have three days to match the Suns’ offer and retain his rights.
"We are excited that Eric Gordon wants to be a Phoenix Sun, and are gratified by his choice to play here," said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby.
The 6-3, 215-pound Gordon is a four-year NBA veteran who has established himself as one of the league’s premier scorers. Just 24 years old, Gordon owns career NBA averages of 18.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 205 games (190 starts). An All-NBA Rookie Team selection in 2009, Gordon increased his scoring average in each of his first three seasons before playing just nine games in an injury-plagued, lockout-shortened campaign in 2011-12. The centerpiece of the Hornets’ trade of Chris Paul, Gordon averaged 20.6 points in nine games for New Orleans last season.
A career 45.0 percent shooter from the floor, including 37.0 percent from three-point range, Gordon is an efficient scorer whose 18.2-point career average has come on 13.5 field goal attempts per game. In Gordon’s only appearance in Phoenix last season, the Indiana product scored 20 points against the Suns and hit the game-winning 20-foot jump shot with 4.2 seconds remaining in the season opener at US Airways Center on Dec. 26.
Talk about Gordon with Suns fans by heading on over to Bright Side of the Sun, and with Hornets fans by going to At The Hive.
Discuss the SB Nation NBA YouTube channel and see if you'd want to subscribe to more coverage.