Hornets match Phoenix offer, keep Gordon

Jul 14, 2012 - 11:25 PM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Hornets have matched the Phoenix Suns' offer for restricted free agent guard Eric Gordon.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported it is a four-year, $58 million deal.

"We are pleased to announce that we have matched the offer sheet for Eric Gordon. Eric is a phenomenal player that we are thrilled to have in our organization", said Hornets general manager Dell Demps. "We thank Tom and Gayle Benson for making this possible with their commitment to the team, our fans and the New Orleans Community."

Gordon, 24, was acquired by New Orleans last offseason in a trade that sent Chris Paul to the Clippers. He was sidelined for the majority of 2011-12 with an injured right knee and appeared in just nine games, averaging 20.6 points and 3.4 assists.

"I look forward to giving my very best on the court this season to make our team successful. Never lost my appreciation to HORNETS FANS," Gordon said via Twitter Saturday.

In four NBA seasons, Gordon has averaged 18.2 points and 3.3 assists in 205 games -- 190 starts -- with the Clippers and Hornets.