Times-Pic: Eric Gordon Open To Long-Term Extension With Hornets

by Rohan on Jan 21, 2012 10:39 AM CST in News

Hat tip to RyanCaz for FanShotting this. Fanshooting? Fanshooting.

After Marc Stein reported yesterday that the Indiana Pacers are interested in trading for New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon, the Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith reports today that Gordon would indeed be open to a long term contract extension with the Hornets before Wednesday's extension deadline:

Shooting guard Eric Gordon said he’s willing to sign a long-term contract extension with the Hornets, who have until Wednesday to make that happen.

Gordon, who was ruled out for two to three weeks on Jan. 6 because of swelling in the knee after his second game — a 40-minute outing in a loss to the 76ers — says he’d have no problem putting his name on a long-term contract with the Hornets right now.

"I’m very open to a long-term extension," said Gordon, the seventh pick in the 2008 draft. "It’s all about having enough security to where I’m able to be here."

"You know they’ve told me they want me here, they want an extension," Gordon said. "But it’s all about what they think is the worth in me. They see that I’m capable of helping this team win, capable of playing hard every night offensively and defensively. Now it’s all about dealing with what I’m worth."

<snip>

During a teleconference after the trade, Stern was asked if the league, as the team’s owner, would allow the Hornets to negotiate a large, potentially maximum-money extension for Gordon.

"The team is authorized to have any discussion that any other team can have," Stern said. "And so the answer to your questions is it can happen with current ownership or it can wait. It depends upon the player’s choice. ... I have to sign off on all major transactions."

Heartening stuff, for sure, both in light of Stein's story yesterday as well as NBA.com's David Aldridge's column earlier in the week, which mentioned that the two sides appeared far from a deal.

It's unclear what Gordon would command in this current market, especially given his injury history, but one would imagine all contract talks will have at least a $10-$12M floor.

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Depends

On how far apart the two sides are. Gordon, through his quotes, seems like he’s asking for some cash. It’s interesting to see how much Dell Demps and company are willing to give him. Any extension is fine as that salary won’t kick in until next season, when the new owner is in place. I don’t think the money should be an issue but, then again, what do I really know? But, Gordon’s comments aside, if the two are far apart on a deal, there’s no chance anything gets ironed out between now and Wednesday.

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Jan 21, 2012 10:53 AM CST reply actions

This is awesome!

Barring ridiculous final demands, I’d go all in for EG

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

I don't see a downside to this.

What exactly is the downside to this? Teams (i.e., Indiana) are lined up to trade for this kid should it not work out in NOLA.

Worried about the new owner inheriting his big salary? Why? Why would the new owner not want a potential superstar on the team? Someone who will sell tickets should he stay injury-free? Electric SGs are more crowd-pleasing than great PGs.

I think what is actually holding this back is other owners. Imagine the huge hissy fit that Cuban and Gilbert would throw should New Orleans offer this kid a Westbrook-like extension.

Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.

by RyanCaz on Jan 21, 2012 2:24 PM CST reply actions

Screw Them All!

Geaux Hornets!

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Jan 21, 2012 2:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Get a new owner now not later

The league finds itself in another awkward situation. Let’s say the Hornets front office and Gordon’s agent agree on an extension. Can Stern veto the deal? I’m not an attorney but I believe Stern would be putting the league at risk of a lawsuit if he didn’t accept the deal as presented.The league is also at risk If the Hornets don’t make a legitimate offer to extend. What’s legitimate? IMO, no less than 90% of max. Gordon is the 4th best player to come out of the 2008 draft (after Rose, Westbrook and Love).

The NBA needs to identify the new owner of the Hornets and get the deal done sooner, not later. Hornet fans and the city of New Orleans are waiting.

by Mike Wr on Jan 21, 2012 3:10 PM CST reply actions

I seriously don't get why people think Westbrook is better than Gordon.

Gordon is at least as good as Westbrook, production wise, for the positions they play at. It is probably even overall as a team’s cornerstone.

by RockyMountain on Jan 21, 2012 3:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

The new owner....

Is going to inherit a big salary REGARDLESS of if they sign Eric Gordon or not. Please let’s not forget that the NBA CBA established a “salary floor”. In the 2012-2013 season the “salary floor” is 90% of the salary cap. The new owner must be prepared to spend roughly $50 million in salary next year. Of course Okafor, Ariza and Jack alone will cost $26.2M of that. The new owner is already saddled with a required salary of ~$50 million. Why not put about ~$10 million of that into Eric Gordon, one of Team USA’s 20 finalists, the only up-and-coming 2 guard in the country?

by usnfish on Jan 21, 2012 3:56 PM CST reply actions

Next year...

The Hornets have Okafor, Ariza, Jack, Aminu, Smith, Henry (Team Option), Ayon, Vasquez (Team Option) and Summers under contract for a total of $37.7 Million. Nine players already under contract. Using roughly where we sit now in the standings. The fourth pick in the 2011 Draft, Tristan Thompson, is paid $3.7 Million. The twelfth pick, Alec Burks, is paid $2 Million. So that brings our projected salary up to $43.4 Million with eleven players under contract and roughly $7 million the new owner is required to spend by the CBA.

by usnfish on Jan 21, 2012 4:21 PM CST up reply actions