Hornets can't sign Gordon
By The Sports Xchange
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  Hornets guard Eric Gordon goes to the basket under pressure against the 76ers at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, La., Jan. 4, 2012. (LAYNE MURDOCH/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP) |
New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon was unable to reach an agreement with the team on a contract extension on Wednesday night, so the two sides will have to wait until after the season, when Gordon becomes a restricted free agent.
At that time, if Gordon gets an offer from another team, the Hornets can keep Gordon by matching that offer.
Currently Gordon is sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for three more weeks. He has played only two games this season.
“We all worked hard on the extension, but sometimes business is business,” Gordon said in a statement released Thursday. “Right now my sole focus is on staying in great shape, and making sure I get back to 100 percent health as quickly as possible, so I can return to playing and helping my teammates and Coach Monty (Williams) win games. That is really what it is all about right now for me.”
The team also issued a statement.
“We made good faith and amicable efforts to reach an agreement on a contract extension over the past few days,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said in the statement. “Unfortunately, although close, we did not reach an agreement. Eric will be a restricted free agent this summer and we are optimistic and encouraged with the opportunity to sign Eric to a contract that will make him a member of the Hornets organization and community for years to come.”
