ESPN: Indiana Pacers Interested In Trading for Eric Gordon

by Rohan on Jan 20, 2012 4:53 PM CST in News

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports today that the Pacers have long coveted Indiana native Eric Gordon, but that they've been rebuked in all their advances so far.

NBA front-office sources continue to say that Indiana native Eric Gordon is the Pacers' dream trade target, but Indy has yet to make serious progress in trade discussions with Gordon's new team (New Orleans), much like it struggled to get very far with his old team (L.A. Clippers). If the Pacers ever do make a legit run at Gordon, one presumes that they'd have to be willing to part with Danny Granger to bring Gordon back to Hoosierland, which figures to be more palatable than it sounds thanks to the presence of the promising Paul George.

The Hornets' deadline to agree a contract extension with Eric Gordon is January 25th, 2012 (next Wednesday). If the two sides cannot come to terms, Gordon would become a restricted free agent this summer. The Hornets would then have the opportunity to match any offer sheet that another team extends to Gordon and has him accept. Gordon would also be able to sign a one-year qualifying offer with New Orleans (should the Hornets extend that, in the absence of a long term deal) and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2013.

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How about....

Instead of Gordon for Grainger that Demps asked for George and the Indiana first round pick this year (which wouldn’t be a lottery pick)? Gordon is still on his rookie contract making $3.8M and George is making $2.4M. The Hornets get younger, cheaper and another first round pick on the roster.

by usnfish on Jan 20, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

I think

you need to go all out to keep Gordon. Indy’s pick, as you mention, should be in that 16-20 range… even in a deep draft, it’ll be dumb luck for us to draft a strong contributor there, let alone a star.

And I’m not sold on George myself.

by Rohan on Jan 20, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

NO NO AND NO

YOU KEEP GORDON NO IF’S AND’S or BUT’S!!!!!!

ALL CAPS IS NECESSARY

by CP3forMVP on Jan 20, 2012 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

If Gordon doesn't resign...

I agree that if we can keep Gordon we should. But if he isn’t resigned and we can get George (a young 2/3 who is 6’10") and a first (a young PG in this draft) in addition to two lottery picks that is some promise. Losing Gordon for nothing makes no sense.

by usnfish on Jan 20, 2012 9:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Granger is shooting terribly this year

averaging only 15ppg and shooting less than .333 for 3 and 2 while also averaging less rebounds and assists than last season, id say try to get Hibbert and George Hill/Collison

by Taquito on Jan 20, 2012 5:52 PM CST reply actions

Granger for Gordon too one-sided

The Hornets would be crazy to go for this deal. I was a skeptic when the Pacers drafted George two summers ago but I’m now convinced he’s going to be a quality NBA player. I think George’s upside is on the defensive end.

The Pacers will not trade George who’s still on his rookie contract. They’ll want to trade veteran contracts like Granger’s. My suspicion is, if this rumor has any merit, that the Pacers have offered Granger and Collison. It’s still not enough.

The Pacers would still have George Hill, Stephenson, and AJ Price at the point even if they included Collison.

by Mike Wr on Jan 20, 2012 6:27 PM CST reply actions

Granger and Collison

I like that trade. I doubt Gordon signs an extension here and the Hornets will likely end up empty handed. Getting Collison back gives me another player to root for.

by njennings on Jan 20, 2012 7:27 PM CST up reply actions

Granger and Collison or Hibbert and Collison

anything else than that, no thanks

by Taquito on Jan 20, 2012 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

anything less than that*

by Taquito on Jan 20, 2012 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

My only reservation regarding Gordon

Is his injury plagued career. For that reason I think he is tradable, but I want to see something nice in return. I honestly don’t know the pacers squad to have an opinion of judging an adequate trade.

by Downtowndave78 on Jan 20, 2012 8:19 PM CST via mobile reply actions

But definitely not granger straight up.

by Downtowndave78 on Jan 20, 2012 8:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

no please don't trade Gordon

we have an incredible defender and clutch scorer in Gordon. Hard to find people like that

by nikkoewan on Jan 20, 2012 8:29 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Hello No

All the trades above are garbage. WTf. Paul George ( FRESNO !!!!! ) Danny, Collision, first round pick at the LEAST nothing else is even worth it.

by 247_Hornet on Jan 20, 2012 8:41 PM CST reply actions

you do realize that Gordon has only played 2 games this season right?

by Taquito on Jan 20, 2012 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

That shouldn't decrease his value significantly

Losing a second guy in a month based on “he might leave us” would be exceedingly sad.

Gordon’s a really, really good offensive good player, and he could be the best defending 2-guard in the league in a season or two.

by Rohan on Jan 20, 2012 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

Yep

We definitely don’t want to make it a habit of trading players preemptively, otherwise we’ll just become a revolving door for big names.

On the other hand, I worry about Gordon’s durability. I’ve seen him referred to by Clippers fans as “fragile as glass”. I hope it’s not the case, but it does cause some concern. There’s no doubting his talent though.

by MZURK on Jan 21, 2012 3:51 AM CST up reply actions

As long as we're throwing names in the pot...

I’d say send Summers(if they’d accept him) &/or Aminu too for Granger, Collison & Psycho T. I know this driaft is supposed to be deep but since Psycho T is young, experienced & playing well at his position (slightly better than J Smith) & don’t forget that we’re still prob gonna trade for Kaman too. I’d rather keep Gordon overall but since this is a business too and Gordon was to leave, a deal like the above or close to it is good because then we’re strong at the PG, SG, SF, PF & depending on Kaman’s value(oh how its slipping…), we could be nice at Center also.

by fshabazz on Jan 20, 2012 9:17 PM CST reply actions

If they trade Gordon, then any player who comes here and decides that they want to leave.

Just has to put a little bug in someones ear about not wanting to stay here and then Dell will trade him.. NO do not trade Gordon even if he does not sign the ext. he is a kid still and will want some security after what the clippers did to him. Show him the light lol and then he will stay

by 247_Hornet on Jan 20, 2012 9:54 PM CST reply actions

Agreed entirely

Wow

so many ready to ship the new guy out! And how can you bring up Gordon’s injury concerns w/o mentioning Granger’s propensity for missed games PLUS questionable knees.

by RedHopeful on Jan 20, 2012 11:20 PM CST reply actions

History

As a long time Hornets fan, history tells me not to get attached to any player on this team. It’s ok to root for players but, anything more and you’re just setting yourself up for heartbreak. The Hornets have had a lot of really good to great players. Zo, Larry Johnson, Bogues, Rice, Mashburn, Jones, Campbell, Davis, Paul, West…. All have left the team or traded for little or nothing at all. It’s extremely tough to be a Hornets fan. I imagine that’s why it’s so easy for people here to let Gordon go.

by njennings on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 AM CST up reply actions

There's some truth to that

Unfortunately…

by MZURK on Jan 21, 2012 3:54 AM CST up reply actions

Danny Granger Pluses...

First, Granger is a graduate of Grace King HS in Jefferson Parish and from New Orleans. He is also signed through 2014. In addition to that he’s played 78 or more games in four of his six seasons. The dollars (Granger makes $12M this year) could allow the Hornets to dump some more salary (say either Ariza or Okafor). To make the salaries match up….say the trade ended up…

Granger and Hibbert ($12M+$2.5M) for Gordon and Okafor ($3.8M+$12.5M)

The Hornets get younger, cheaper and taller (Granger is 6’8", Hibbert is 7’2"). Add in a top flight PF from the draft and a point guard and we have a decent roster with some depth.

All this may be nonsense if the nola.com report is correct that Gordon is willing to resign a long-term extension.

by usnfish on Jan 21, 2012 8:30 AM CST reply actions

I want to keep Gordon too...

The main thing is the trade value for Kaman. I really don’t see Indy giving up Hibbert. Not too many 7 ftrs especially 7’2" Centers with some type of skill in the NBA so unless Hibbert gets hurt really bad like an Oden situation, he’s staying for the long haul. I just hope Kaman goes on a run so his value goes up more because his stock is dropping more & more every week. We can’t get to greedy/trade crazy because we may end up being really bad for a long time. Just gotta make the few RIGHT choices.

by fshabazz on Jan 21, 2012 8:47 AM CST reply actions

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/01/eric_gordon_says_hes_open_to_a.html

by Junsier on Jan 21, 2012 10:27 AM CST reply actions

Gordon

Is going to stay. With the first round pick losing increasing significance, Gordon is the only thing that can salvage the organization in the wake of Chris Paul’s departure. He means too much to the team both in the short and long term for the Hornets to let him go. Plus it’s a horrible move for the organization to keep trading people based on them “wanting to leave.”

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Jan 21, 2012 10:48 AM CST reply actions

+1

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Jan 21, 2012 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

EG's going to stay, and nothing the Pacers have would adequately compensate w/what we have to build upon now

by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Jan 21, 2012 12:34 PM CST reply actions

Clippers and big EJ fan here

Like many of us at Clips Nation, EJ was my favorite player. I feel you will have the same dilemma we had. EJ has a very good agent (Rob Pelinka) and early talks with Clippers for an extension was close to a max contract.It is a shame he has not played enought for the Hornets to get a better evaluation of him but I can say this. You will not get him for $10-$12 million per year and The Pacers are more than willing to overpay their hometown hero more as a RFA this summer. Your GM has to decide do you get out the checkbook or decide to trade him while you can before he becomes a RFA.

Hopefully he comes back soon so I can get my money’s worth on the $169 I paid to watch him play for you on league pass.

"Great Balls Of Fire, Reggie's Back!"

by PV Mike on Jan 21, 2012 2:13 PM CST reply actions