What's next in the Eric Gordon saga?

Nightshade · 07-04-2012, 04:31 PM

It looks like he is going to sign an offer sheet by the Sunsand I completely expect the Hornets to match it. Now the comments from Gordon doesn't make this easy and it looks like he wants to be somewhere else.

So what do the Hornets do?

If they match the offer sheet by the Suns it eliminates a possible trade between the 2 clubs for the life of the contract.

Q: Can the Hornets just match the Suns offer and then trade him wherever they want?

A: Yes and No. Mostly no. First of all, if they do match the Suns offer sheet, they can not trade him to the Phoenix Suns for the duration of the contract (4 years). However, they can match the offer sheet and then engage in trade talks with the other 28 teams in the league immediately. As always, there is a catch. Per the new CBA, Eric Gordon would have veto power on any trade for the next year. So, the idea of matching the offer sheet and sending him to Charlotte for MKG is nice and all, but Gordon would have to agree to go play for MJ. Not likely. After that year is up, the Hornets are free to trade Gordon anywhere without his consent until the final year of his deal.

So the scenario is similar to a sign-and-trade, as both the team and Eric would have to agree to the deal, at least in the first year. It’s just that Phoenix would be removed from consideration, per the CBA, if the offer sheet is signed.

Since nothing has been officially signed yet, however, Dell Demps can get on the phone with the Suns and work out a sign and trade in which the Hornets give him the same contract and move him for pieces if they prefer to have player’s whose bodies and hearts are both in the same city. Again, Dell holds all the cards, the only question is how he wants to play them.

This says it all if he really wants to be in Phoenix and they want him then a trade will need to be worked out. Looking at the Suns roster they dont have a lot to offer though in terms of a trade.

1	Josh Childress	SF	29	6-8	210	Stanford	$6,000,000
3	Jared Dudley	SF	26	6-7	225	Boston College	$4,250,000
8	Channing Frye	C	29	6-11	245	Arizona	$5,600,000
4	Marcin Gortat	C	28	6-11	240		$6,790,640
0	Kendall Marshall	PG	20	6-4	195	North Carolina
11	Markieff Morris	F	22	6-10	245	Kansas	$1,919,160
31	Sebastian Telfair	PG	27	6-0	170		$1,500,000
21	Hakim Warrick	PF	29	6-9	219	Syracuse	$4,000,000

The Suns currently don't have a shotting guard under contract so they won't be able to offer one in return and given their lack of players under cotract anyone of any value they can offer will create a need somewhere else. But that's the Suns problem not the Hornets. I would say if they want him in a trade I would require Marcin Gortat, Kendall Marshall and a 1st round pick.

The contract can't be signed untill the 11th so that leaves a lot of time for this to unfold.

weightlifter316 · 07-04-2012, 06:36 PM

I'd prefer Morris over Marshall. Morris has the length defensively that Monty likes and he is a decent shooter as well. Vasquez and Jack will hold the PG position down and Rivers can play there when needed. Gortat, Morris, and a 1st round pick would be an ok deal, but it may not be enough. Maybe we could throw in Jack with Gordon and get Marshall, Morris, and Gortat with a 1st rounder. I think Vasquez could run the point as a starter if we didn't have Jack, don't get me wrong though, Jarrett Jack is awesome. He has a lot of heart and is a great leader for us. I'm very excited to see how this all pans out. The Hornets are really trying to put together a respectable franchise in New Orleans.

Nightshade · 07-06-2012, 04:25 PM

Eric Gordon is in Las Vegas vying for one of the final spots on the U.S. national team that will play in this summer's Olympics. He wants to go to London. But he doesn't want to come back to New Orleans.

Gordon

Gordon, a restricted free agent who has a four-year, $58 million offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns, believes they are more committed to his future than the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets acquired Gordon from the Los Angeles Clippers last season in the deal that sent point guard Chris Paul to the Clippers.
Paul didn't want to be in New Orleans any longer, either, and Gordon suggested if the Hornets match the Suns' offer and retain him, they'd be looking at a similar situation. The four-year offer from the Suns, a source said, includes a player option on the fourth year.
"Phoenix just showed a lot more interest, overall, and definitely in how they negotiated," Gordon said. "I don't know what New Orleans' plans are for me. There are no negotiations right now."
GM Dell Demps declined to comment on Gordon's remarks, but a league source said the Hornets are fully committed to matching the Suns' offer sheet. The Hornets identified Gordon as their most talented player even after they drafted Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick and plan to retain him as, if nothing else, an asset.

Read more here

Broadmoor74 · 07-06-2012, 04:33 PM

I think the Hornets match. I just don't see a scenario where the Suns give the Hornets value in return for Gordon. They'll likely hand him the ball and, if he doesn't have a change of heart by the end of this season, they'll shop him to whomever they want. Let's just hope, if that's the case, he stays healthy.

nolaspe · 07-06-2012, 05:18 PM

EG just doesn't want to be in NOLA... I mean how much more clear can be...

New Orleans Hornets' guard Eric Gordon won't be happy about staying in NOLA | NOLA.com

tomdda · 07-06-2012, 05:48 PM

NOLA not good enough for you Eric? Play here next season and then we'll trade you to the Bobcats. You'll like it there a lot more.

nolaspe · 07-06-2012, 06:13 PM

Straight from the horse's (***) mouth...

New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon talks about his unhappiness with contract situation - Video | NOLA.com

Broadmoor74 · 07-06-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolaspe

Straight from the horse's (***) mouth...

New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon talks about his unhappiness with contract situation - Video | NOLA.com

Watching that, I don't think the situation is nearly as dire as I thought an hour ago. Petulent? Yeah. Overly sensitive? Yeah. Childish? Yeah. But I really feel that once Dell/Monty sit down with him and explain their feelings towards him (again?) and talk about their plan, things will smooth over.

I don't question Dell's handling of the situation at this point, but since he was at Team USA's workout today, I can't find a reason why he wouldn't at least approach Gordon. As of right now, he hasn't done that.

nealkm · 07-06-2012, 08:46 PM

I think he's a diva without the curves.

If only the sour grapes this guy has matched his... nevermind.

deltadawg · 07-06-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealkm

I think he's a diva without the curves.

If only the sour grapes this guy has matched his... nevermind.

Well said! This is something the NBA needs to address. Just one of many things that needs to be cleaned up. Other than that I'm very happy for Hornets basketball right now.

projeck33 · 07-07-2012, 12:20 AM

Houston is the perfect spot,they can give us a pick Martin,Lamb,Jones,and Montejunas we could get bigger and longer at 2guard while Martin contract expires next year,he can play this year to let Lamb and Rivers grow with veterans like Martin and Lamb,Montejunas gives us a solid center for a long time,Jones just gives us all kind of flexibility,and ALL gives us a TEAM that will have a full year to grow and be good for a long time,Dell you pull this off and you are excuse for blowing a good year of free agency with money and not making a splash,a dip,or even touching the DAM water(PLAYING AROUND WITH KID GORDON)...