Hornets match Suns offer sheet to Eric Gordon
Jul 14, 2012, 8:04 PM | Updated: 10:43 pm
No surprise here.
As expected, the New Orleans Hornets agreed to match the Phoenix Suns’
four-year, $58 million offer sheet to restricted free agent guard Eric
Gordon.
Despite Gordon’s very public comments expressing a desire to leave New
Orleans, the Hornets decided to keep the talented shooting guard in the
fold.
The Suns signed Gordon to an offer sheet Wednesday, giving the Hornets
three days to respond. The Hornets had until 11:59 p.m. Saturday to
match.
Gordon averaged 20.6 points and 2.8 rebounds for the 2011-2012 season.
The Suns and President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby released a
statement following the news of losing out on Gordon.
“While we are disappointed that Eric [Gordon] will not be a Sun at this time,
we have no regrets in doing all that we could under the rules to bring him
to Phoenix.
“Once Eric passes his physical in New Orleans, our full cap room will be
restored and we will move forward in free agency. In the meantime, we are
on track to pursue our plans.”
With Gordon out of the mix, the Suns will likely shift their focus to free agent
O.J. Mayo, who met with Suns’ brass Friday.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 66 games
coming off the bench for the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
For his career, Mayo has averaged 15.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
