Hornets Match Gordon’s Offer Sheet From Suns

3:52pm: The Hornets have matched the offer sheet, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports, via Twitter. In a statement released by the Hornets (via John Reid of The Times-Picayune) Gordon backtracked from his earlier comment that "Phoenix is just where my heart is now."

"There is always a business element to the NBA when dealing with contracts, but I never lost my appreciation for the New Orleans Hornets,'' Gordon said in the statement. "I look forward to going on the court this season to make our team successful.''   

SATURDAY, 3:17pm: The Hornets are about to release a statement announcing that they've matched Gordon's offer sheet, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 5:07pm: Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reports Gordon has signed the offer sheet, according to the Suns (Twitter link). 

TUESDAY: 9:25pm: The Hornets are not scared off by Gordon's comments and will match the Suns' four-year, $58MM offer, reports Bucher (via Twitter).

JULY 5, 5:25pm: Gordon believes the Suns are more committed to his future than the Hornets, reports Ric Bucher of ESPN.com"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." 

JULY 4: 9:53pm: A league source has reiterated to NBA.com's David Aldridge (link via Twitter) that the Hornets plan on matching the offer sheet despite Gordon's desire to play in Phoenix.

JULY 3 9:56pm: Hoopsworld.com writer Alex Kennedy says the Hornets will meet with Gordon before deciding to match the offer, but according to Yahoo! Sports columnist Adrian Wojnarowski the Hornets will go ahead and match the offer sheet anyway (tweet).

9:33pm: Eric Gordon has committed to signing a four-year, $58MM max offer sheet from the Suns, tweets ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. With Deron Williams off the market, Gordon, a restricted free agent, might be the best player available.

From AZCentral.com's Paul Coro, Gordon released a prepared statement: 

After visiting the Suns, the impression the organization made on me was incredible. Mr. Sarver, Lon Babby, Lance Blanks, the front office staff and Coach Gentry run a first-class organization, and I strongly feel they are the right franchise for me. Phoenix is just where my heart is now.

Due to the effects of a lingering knee injury, Gordon only played in nine games last season, but in limited time he still averaged 20.6PPG, showing flashes of the player most believe will be one of the league's best shooting guards over the life of this next contract. 

The Hornets are expected to match this offer sheet. 

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