Hornets match Suns' offer for Gordon

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NEW ORLEANS, July 14 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Hornets Saturday matched an offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns to restricted free-agent guard Eric Gordon.

Gordon signed the Suns' offer sheet Wednesday, meaning his current team, the Hornets, had three days to match the offer and retain his rights.

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported the Suns' offer for Gordon was for four years at $58 million.

"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," Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. "We thank Tom and Gayle Benson for making this possible with their commitment to the team, our fans and the New Orleans community."

The 24-year-old guard was sidelined with a knee injury for most of the 2011-12 season after the Hornets obtained him from the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that involved all-star guard Chris Paul.

He averaged 20.6 points and 3.4 assists in just nine contests.

During his four-year career, Gordon has averaged 18.2 points and 3.3 assists in 205 games.