Eric Gordon says he is open to extension with Hornets

[jonathanlambert33]

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. But as the clock ticks away on that deadline, it’s also ticking on the timeline that is keeping Gordon sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee that has limited the Hornets’ leading scorer to just two games this season.

Eric Gordon says he's 'very open to a long-term extension' with the Hornets. But he's been limited to just two games since coming to New Orleans because of a right knee injury, and the team might want to see more before making a long-term commitment.

The question begs, therefore: have the Hornets seen enough in two games, one of which Gordon made the winning shot, to offer Gordon an extension that would keep him in New Orleans for another four or five years? Or does the team wait until the season ends, and with a new owner in place, then possibly commit its resources to an extension, or just allow Gordon to test the market as a restricted free agent?

And will the Hornets be open to satisfying Gordon’s financial demands, whatever they may be?

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.”

Gordon said his agent, Rob Pelinka, has had ongoing dialog with the Hornets about an extension, and that the Hornets have expressed an interest.

“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.”

Pelinka, who also represents the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Hornets forward Chris Kaman among others, did not return repeated telephone calls or respond to an email.

Hornets General Manager Dell Demps refused comment on the situation.

“It’s not something I want to talk about,” Demps said. “I’m not going to talk about the extension at all.”

There has been speculation from national media outlets that the NBA, which owns the Hornets, might be reluctant to burden a potential new owner with a contract that could approach $80 million over five seasons, the same sort of extension that Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook just signed, or a deal similar to the four-year, $61 million deal the Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly offering Kevin Love. Westbrook was taken three slots ahead of Gordon in the 2008 draft, and Love two spots.

Gordon was the centerpiece of last month’s trade that brought three players and a projected 2012 lottery pick to the Hornets in exchange for four-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul, a deal orchestrated and approved by NBA Commissioner David Stern as de-facto owner of the Hornets.

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.

Eric Gordon was the centerpiece of last month's trade that brought three players and a projected 2012 lottery pick to the Hornets in exchange for four-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul.

“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.”

Several other members of the 2008 draft class, notably last season’s Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose of the Bulls, have signed extensions beyond their expiring rookie contracts.

But the on-court success from those players, and the stability of the franchises involved, likely make it easier to justify the expenditures.

Last season with the Clippers, Gordon missed 26 games because of a wrist injury, and the season before that he missed 20 games because of injuries that included a groin problem and a viral infection.

Gordon said he has done no running or cardio rehabilitation since being shut down Jan. 6. He has iced the knee and received electric bone stimulation to facilitate, and hopefully expedite, healing. He’s due for another exam on the knee next week as the extension deadline looms.

Does Gordon believe the Hornets have seen enough of his ability and potential in the two games he has been in a New Orleans uniform, and his complete body of work, to commit to a long-term deal?

“They see what I’m capable of,” Gordon said. “They know basketball. And what I’ve done now is no different than what I’ve done before. I’ve just gotten better as a player as far as individually, as a late-game guy situation. I’m trying to find ways to help win games. If that’s what they’re looking for from me, you’ll probably see some sort of long-term situation here.

“I’d say starting next week (talks aimed at an extension) would be very serious and maybe have something down the line. And whatever happens, happens. I think both sides may be able to come to an agreement. But right now, we’re both comfortable.”

As a Hornets fan, this is great news.

 

[Pugz]

Why wouldn't he want one? Lol

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Why wouldn't he want one? Lol

Because apparently he's unhappy in New Orleans...

:spideypalm:

According to fans of other teams and even some Hornets fans, anyway.

 

[elcheato]

Money cures unhappiness

 

[DJT]

If I were the Hornets, I'd want him to play more than 5 games...

 

[CameronCrazy06]

UPDATE: In Friday's Weekend Dime, ESPN's Marc Stein added this bit of commentary on Indiana's stance on Gordon: "NBA front-office sources continue to say that Indiana native 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 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."

---

UPDATE: When asked whom the Pacers could realistically get in return for Danny Granger -- if he were to be shopped -- ESPN's Chad Ford responded with this in his Wednesday chat: "I could see them pulling the trigger, for sure, on a Granger for Gordon deal ... But the Pacers aren't giving Granger away. It would take a young, potential All-Star to get him. He's still really, really good."

---

Tucked in a lengthy report about where contract extensions stand for some first-round 2008 picks with the deadline looming on Jan. 25, David Aldridge of NBA.com reported that due to the league still looking to sell the Hornets, Eric Gordon is in a "tough position" as "the likelihood of the league okaying a major financial commitment to anyone before the team is sold (Commissioner David Stern maintained last month that that could happen by the spring) is iffy."

Aldridge also reported via a source that the team and Gordon's representation are "working on it" in regards to an extension, but he also notes "Gordon might be reluctant to re-up with New Orleans until the team is sold, if at all."

If nothing gets done by the deadline and Gordon ends up becoming a restricted free agent this summer, keep an eye on the Pacers making a play for him.

They still have cap space and there are rumblings Gordon would be agreeable to playing for his hometown team.

 

[Pugz]

Go pacers! But I wouldnt do a granger/gordon swap.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

The Hornets will have a new owner in a month to month and a half.

 

[Pugz]

And the deadline for extensions is the 25th....

 

[jonathanlambert33]

And the deadline for extensions is the 25th....

Personally, I don't buy the whole "won't offer a big deal without a real owner" stuff.

I obviously see where they are coming from, but I think it's speculation. There was a lot of talk that Chris Paul wouldn't be traded by the Hornets without a real owner.

And just a little tidbit, lots of talk that Michael Dell could be part of an ownership group.

 

[Mexi]

there was talk last year of him going to Indy too so if he extends with New Orleans, cool

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Very strange comment form Monty Williams about Eric Gordon; says he'd like to tell us everything he knows but can't. Says Gordon will ...

...they're still "running tests" on Gordon's knee and they'll know more soon.

That's from yesterday, what do yall think it means?

Lots of speculation that a extension is in place depending on how the tests come back, or that he is ready to come back.

Some people also believe he's done for the year but I doubt Monty Williams would have bad news like that and tease people with it.

 

[Pugz]

shattered knee cap and torn acl and mcl. out for career.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

shattered knee cap and torn acl and mcl. out for career.

I was thinking more along the lines his leg rotted and randomly fell off one morning.

 

[Pugz]

could all be related somehow so i can believe that lol

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Apparently he has a fractured knee cap that (I'm guessing) the medical staff misdiagnosed more than two weeks ago. If it's true, our medical staff needs to go, I'm tired of misdiagnosed injuries.

 

[Pugz]

Told you.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Well you said torn mcl and acl also, so you were only half correct lol

 

[.infamous]

Well you said torn mcl and acl also, so you were only half correct lol

third correct*

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Fucking grammar and math nazis on this site?

:ARGH: