It would be a mistake. Gordan is a guy you pick up to add to your core superstars. You get him too early and he commits us to also-rans. Too good to improve, too bad to make a run in the playoffs. Don't take on these types of players.
What scares me is Eric Gordon will get the max or a near max deal and he only played in 9 games last season. Dwight gets traded somewhere he doesn't want to be he will probably fake an injury all season and expect the max.
Beggars can't be choosers. Besides, I don't think his injury history accurately reflects his playing status. I think he probably could have played more with NO but they were begging him to stay out so they could tank.
I would take Gordon in a heartbeat and I think Houston would prefer to have him too. The question is - would you pay him a max? I don't exactly think he is worth the max but the league is so starved for quality talent right now, he might actually get it. I watched quite a few Clips games back in the day - the thing I like about Gordon is he is very efficient and has a bit of a competitive streak - he plays big at the end of close games and competes hard with other star 2s like Kobe. He also draws a lot of fouls. Basically he is a much better version of Kevin Martin. Gordon reminds me a bit of a Vinnie Johnson type player - maybe not as good a passer but very similar in being a smaller scorer who is strong and knows how to use his body to spin off defenders and open up scoring opportunities. He wouldn't be our "superstar" but I think he's a very respectable Robin while Houston keeps looking for their Batman.
There is definitely interest. Gordon will be in Houston to visit with the Rockets on Monday: source [rquoter] Sources: Eric Gordon lines up visits By Chris Broussard Guard Eric Gordon will visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the first day of free agency, according to league sources. Gordon, a restricted free agent with the New Orleans Hornets, will then visit the Houston Rockets on Monday and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. While Gordon hopes to make his decision before his first Team USA practice in Las Vegas on July 6, he also has a meeting scheduled with Portland on July 5 and he may meet with Charlotte and Dallas, sources said. Gordon is seeking a max contract that will pay him $58 million over four years, and sources say some teams are willing to make that offer. After drafting star forward Anthony Davis on Thursday, the Hornets are hoping to solidify their young nucleus by re-signing Gordon. [/rquoter]
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Not to spoil the fun for suitors of restricted free agent Eric Gordon, but source says N. Orleans will match max offer if he gets one.</p>— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) <a href="https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/219312826349654016" data-datetime="2012-07-01T06:13:47+00:00">July 1, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> (Of course teams always put that out there).
I believe that NO will match if he gets an offer sheet, but I also believe that if Gordon makes a big enough stink about leaving he could force a S&T. Of the restricted free agents to actually leave their teams in recent years, Lamar Odom pretty much begged Donald Sterling to not match his deal, and only was able to escape because the Clippers had matched on Corey Maggette and Elton Brand in the same summer. Joe Johnson felt so slighted by the fact that Phoenix lowballed him during extension talks that he got traded to Atlanta. Kenyon Martin was S&T to Denver as well. On the other hand, Josh Smith signed an offer sheet with Memphis and was matched quickly. DeAndre Jordan signed an offer sheet with GS and got matched. If Houston wants EJ, they'll get him through sign and trade.
Cost of doing business. Look at the last two major max free agents who left their teams in S&T: Kenyon Martin got back 3 first round picks, Joe Johnson got 2 first rounders and Boris Diaw, who had just finished his rookie year. 2 young prospects wouldn't be out of line at all.
Gordon is looking for a four-year, $58 million deal. This is close to Martin's salary next season and much less than the max contracts that the other all-stars (ex: Joe Johnson, Melo) got. If we want to trade for a super star in the future (say in 2013-14 season), a package involving Gordon and 2 of our rookies is more attractive than a package involving 4 rookies. Also, there will not be enough playing time for all our rookies. This will only decrease their trade values (ex: Morris). I trust Morey can draft another Patterson, White, or Lamb, but so far he failed to trade up to bring in talents like Gordon. I think it's worth the gamble.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...h-hornets-free-agent-guard-eric-gordon-today/ Maybe some folks will believe me in the other thread. Nationally everyone said he was coming Monday, but I knew it was Sunday. This plus letting y'all know that we were not brining Dalembert back I think should be enough to know I'm not pulling this out of my arse.
Ok, so what are the odds you are putting on the Bynum deal now? How has something so big not been leaked already?
What has he really told us? Dalembert not coming back and being bought out. (Traded) throws out the Bynum/Pau blockbuster with maybe Minny being one of the teams involved, and they turn right around and don't extend an offer to Beasley, who the Lakers might want and can get now via FA. Reports are Gordon meeting with the Rockets Monday. He says Sunday. One day. This with Feign already been saying the Rockets might turn their sights to Gordon instead, days ago. Clutch in the past has said that other guy that CF worships is an insider, but no word from Clutch on whether this guy, is.
