As expected, the New Orleans Hornets will likely match the Phoenix Suns' four-year, $58 million contract offer to restricted free agent Eric Gordon, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge. This comes as little surprise given Gordon's importance to the Hornets as the centerpiece in the Chris Paul trade last December.
Hornets Expected To Match Suns’ Contract Offer To Eric Gordon, According To Report
New Orleans cannot officially match the Suns’ contract offer until July 14, which is three days after the free-agent moratorium is officially lifted.
Gordon had already issued a statement noting that he felt the Suns were "the right franchise for me," among other things. However, the Hornets always had the right to match any contract offer, and they have plenty of cap space to absorb Gordon's new salary thanks to their June trade of Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards.
Gordon played just nine games last year, but emerged as one of the league's top young shooting guards in 2010-11 with the Clippers, averaging 22.3 points per game on 45 percent shooting. Assuming the Hornets do indeed match the Suns' offer, Gordon will team with Anthony Davis to lead the Hornets back to prominence.
For more on the Hornets, check out At The Hive. For more on the Suns, visit Bright Side of the Sun and SB Nation Arizona.
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