New Orleans Hornets set to match Phoenix Suns max offer for Eric Gordon – NBA Update
The Phoenix Suns made a big push to sign New Orleans Hornets restricted free agent Eric Gordon, offering him a max deal and selling their project in a way that impressed the young shooting guard. The Hornets however are in no mood to let their prized asset
leave and reports suggest they will match the max contract in order to keep him in New Orleans.
Eric is a restricted free agent which means that whilst he can talk to other teams and receive offers, the Hornets retain the right to match the offer and keep the player. The Suns seemed intent on bringing Gordon to Phoenix as the city prepares for life
after Steve Nash and offered him a max deal worth $58 million over 4 years.
More than anything, the personal approach taken by Phoenix to court Gordon impressed the youngster.
“After visiting the Suns, the impression the organization made on me was incredible. Mr. Sarver, Lon Babby, Lance Blanks, the front office staff and Coach (Alvin) Gentry run a first-class organization, and I strongly feel they are the right franchise for
me. Phoenix is just where my heart is now,” Gordon said earlier.
The Hornets however see Gordon as a key ingredient of their future. They have banked on getting him to stay long-term at the franchise as he was arguably the best component coming out of the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gordon has at times hinted that he doesn’t want to be in New Orleans, but the teams done some impressive work to rebuild and their draft was particularly eye-catching. Anthony Davis is set to be a star in the NBA and Austin Rivers also comes with much pedigree,
if the Hornets can build with these two and Gordon leading the pack, they could be a powerhouse within years.
That’s why the Hornets are set to match the max offer and tie Gordon down for another 4 years. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports was the first to report this via twitter.
“The New Orleans Hornets will match the 4-year, $58 million offer sheet Eric Gordon agreed to sign with Phoenix, league source tells Y!”
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