New Orleans Hornets are Authorized to Offer Eric Gordon a 4-year Extension

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Published: January 25, 2012

The New Orleans Hornets are authorized to offer Eric Gordon a 4-year contract extension which would keep him a Hornet through 2016, according to Marc Spears from Yahoo. If Gordon accepts the deal, as he presumably will, it will come as a huge sign of relief to Hornets fans who had been sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear about the centerpiece of the trade that sent Chris Paul packing.

 

“@SpearsNBAYahoo Hornets Hugh Weber & Dell Demps have been authorized by NBA to make 4-year contract extension offer to G Eric Gordon”

While Hornets fans should be skeptical of any big news truly being official, it appears that Eric Gordon will remain a Hornet for the foreseeable future. Commissioner David Stern has authorized GM Dell Demps and President Hugh Weber to offer Gordon a four year extension which would keep him in Creole Blue through 2016 (or whenever a re-brand happens). I’m expecting that Gordon will take the deal, because otherwise they sure wasted a lot of time getting approval for nothing.

The authorization to extend a new deal comes only a day after Hornets fans got some more good news about Gordon. His knee was reported yesterday to be structurally sound (also by Spears). Gordon first injured his knee when he bumped it with Grant Hill, and has played only two games in Hornets uniform so far this season.

With Gordon in place, the Hornets have the foundation of a roster that many expect could be one of the top up and coming teams within a few years. Their record thus far is a measly 3-14, and with Eric Gordon expected to miss another two-three weeks (I’d bet on the latter if they get him locked down) things probably won’t get too much better.

With their own presumably high lottery pick, the unprotected Minnesota first round pick they possess, a few veteran trade pieces, the lack of any disgusting long term contracts, and a roster full of young talent to develop, the Hornets are in a situation many teams can only dream about.

Not only that, but as we all know the team has had remarkable success selling season tickets and promoting their brand throughout the New Orleans community. With that naming rights deal expected to actually happen at some point (news of the Arena being called Louisiana Seafood Arena Seasoned By Zattarain’s was somehow news again today), sponsorship sales going well, and the process of selling the team finally underway, things are looking pretty damn good for a team that much of the national media had written off as goners more than once.

Come this Lundi Gras, we may be celebrating more than usual.

 

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