The Hornets announced today that Eric Gordon, acquired from the Clippers as the key piece in the trade that brought Chris Paul to LA, needs arthroscopic surgery on the right knee that has already kept him out of all but two games this season. If his post surgery recovery goes has planned, Gordon could be back on the court for the final 20 games of the season.
You have to feel sorry for Gordon here. He's in the final year of his rookie contract, and was unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Hornets. Three other members from his draft class, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love have signed massive extensions with their clubs. Gordon was teammates with those three on the Team USA that won a Gold Medal in the World Championships in Turkey in 2010, but he's still waiting for his next NBA contract -- and missing games could very well be costing him money. He'll be an unrestricted restricted free agent in July and may yet get a big offer sheet from a team like Indiana, but it's also possible that teams will be hesitant to spend big money on a player that just missed most of the season with knee trouble.
You also have to feel sorry for the Hornets. David Stern and the NBA seemingly drove a very tough bargain in trade negotiations with the Clippers. But with Gordon injured and Chris Kaman not fitting into their long term plans, the big prize from that trade at this point is Al-Farouq Aminu. Yikes. Of course, it serves NOH's purposes pretty well to be terrible this season, and collect as many ping pong balls in the lottery as possible, so maybe this will all work out.
The Clippers on the other hand came out of this whole situation smelling like a rose. Paul has been as good as advertised if not better, and the team has come together quickly with his leadership on the floor. Giving up Gordon seemed difficult at first, but it was always going to be able to resign EJ, while paying Blake Griffin and Paul and DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler. Now Gordon is missing most of the season for another team, not for LA.
0 recs | 40 comments
Unrestircted?
You mean restricted?
UC.Clipper - February 13, 2012
yep
chrisd - February 13, 2012
oops
My bad. Thanks.
Steve Perrin - February 14, 2012
i think the Clipper curse has moved on
now our players don’t get injured until AFTER we trade them!!!
go cliplets!!!
timkempton - February 13, 2012
uh bill ups? and why do people keep saying cliplets. that sound absolutely horrible
hans007 - February 13, 2012 via Android app
There are no people using cliplets
only this guy.
bestclipfan - February 14, 2012
yep
agolden - February 14, 2012
Keep on keeping on Tim Kempton
I enjoy your posts. I am proud to be a Cliplet.
PV Mike - February 14, 2012
Mike, Mike, wake up Mike
You’ve been brainwashed. When I click my fingers you’ll come back to the real world.
1,2,3,click.
Nice to have you back mate, we nearly lost you then!
ClippersUK - February 14, 2012
You're just trying to lure him into your windowless panel van
Next stop: Poetland.
boltsfan21 - February 14, 2012
hopefully that's sarcasm.
agolden - February 14, 2012
poor guy
hoping for a full recovery.
It would be cool to see him go to indiana. maybe we could pluck paul george in that case.
T_Silk - February 13, 2012
Paul George is going nowhere
They will ship Danny Granger before they ever ship Paul George. That is they even want to go for EJ. Yep, he’s talented and a hometown kid but his injury record isn’t good for a young player.
ClippersUK - February 14, 2012
+1
Buddahfan - February 14, 2012
paul george looks like a Sophmore/rookie Kobe Bryant
great potential
agolden - February 14, 2012
The Pacers looked like sophomores in high school against The Heat tonight!
Heat are getting their mojo. 3rd road victory in b2b2b
PV Mike - February 14, 2012
This just in!
But seriously, I do feel sorry for the guy. I know it’s not his fault, but I’m just glad it’s not something the Clips have to worry about anymore. He just could never stay healthy, and what good is a player who is always injured, no matter how great he is.
saxmanager - February 14, 2012
hopefully this injury wont plague his career
if it does…then not signing that extension will certainly hurt
nauticazn25 - February 14, 2012
Speaking of ex-Clippers - Kaman's game last night was awesome.
Again, so close to that magic 30 points he’s never quite managed.
Great line though – 27 points on 12-22 shooting, 13 rebs, 2 ass, 2 steals, 1 block and only 3 turnovers.
Whooa Boyyyy
ClippersUK - February 14, 2012
boosting that trade stock
UC.Clipper - February 14, 2012
Only 1 Block? WTF His Legs Must Be Going - LOL
New Jersey Nets at Los Angeles Clippers January 19, 2008
New Jersey Nets 107 – Los Angeles Clippers 120
The closest he will ever come to a triple-double
Chris Kaman
Min 44:26
Points 10
Rebounds 12
Blocks 9
I am sure that a bunch of posters here were at that game
Buddahfan - February 14, 2012
Strong late
Kaman’s MO with the Clippers was to have big first halfs and then disappear late. Last night he scored 9 in the fourth, 17 in the second half. On that team, especially now with all the injuries, he may get his 30 yet.
Steve Perrin - February 14, 2012
I'm happy for him
he can inflate his stats on a team devoid of offensive players. Seeing how much centers are in demand he’ll get a nice fat contract in the off-season.
BelgianClipper - February 14, 2012
We all know about the mad skills of Kaman...
…the guy is multi-talented! But we also know he can’t sustain that skill set consistently. He will always disappoint when it matters the most.
saxmanager - February 14, 2012
Buddahfan - February 14, 2012
It made me mad
Because he was nursing an injury and I didn’t play him on my fantasy team. Kaman’s been playing pretty well since being off the trading block. I’m sure it’ll boost his stock big time.
Chris McD - February 14, 2012
Gordon's doctor is still at it.
BelgianClipper - February 14, 2012
Sucks for EJ
He’s young so he still has a long career ahead of him, but man…talk about injury prone.
lbclips - February 14, 2012
I can't help but to feel sorry for EJ, the Hornets fans and myself!
EJ for being a good guy cursed with injuries, the Hornets Fans for having an unwatchable product and myself for spending $169 for NBA League Pass to watch EJ play one game!
PV Mike - February 14, 2012
Take that PV Mike!!!!
lbclips - February 14, 2012
This is probably the best scenario long term for the Hornets
Any way to increase the odds of getting Anthony Davis is a good thing for the franchise
MikeV7297 - February 14, 2012
Bone bruise that needs surgery?
Glad we are not the only team misdiagnose grossly.
Takebb909 - February 14, 2012 via mobile
The Hornets medical staff lead by J.Powell Jnr...................
ClippersUK - February 14, 2012
Hornets fans still like the trade
Just read their blog. Not 100% in favor but mostly.
They’re smartly not buying into the “conspiracy theory” like Laker fans do .
Thretch - February 14, 2012
It helped the Hornets
But having Scola and Martin would have helped them more NOW. Still, you have to be Really bad to get good..,.so I understand why Stern wanted the young talent and the 1st rounder. When you’re like the Knicks and every year is mediocre bad but not Superbad, then you end up in a limbo…unless JLin comes along.
oasisman - February 14, 2012
I don't know how good
They would be fighting for the 8th seed in the West with luck, they are better off with our trade IMO, minny’s pick is going to be lottery and EJ is still an elite SG, they are also better off sucking this season.
XXDC2XX - February 14, 2012
With every win to Clippers
along side with every Hornets loss, the trade looked more and more like a steal.
Pats fan in CA - February 14, 2012
this just fuels the dumb laker fans that though their trade was better..which it wasn't.
tenkaistar - February 14, 2012
Dodged a billet
Loved EJ, but great FO move!
Cliptomaniac - February 16, 2012 via mobile
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Cliptomaniac - February 16, 2012 via mobile
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