Suns offer Gordon max deal; N.O. set to match

Eric Gordon and the Phoenix Suns have agreed to terms on a maximum-salaried contract worth $58 million over four years.

Gordon, the New Orleans Hornets' star shooting guard, will sign the offer sheet on July 11th.

The Hornets will have three days to match the offer, and sources with knowledge of the team's thinking confirmed to ESPN.com late Tuesday that New Orleans plans to do so.

New Orleans has claimed all along that it will match any offer Gordon receives, but Gordon is hoping the Hornets do not match.

Gordon said Tuesday night that his preference is to play for the Suns, not the Hornets.

"After visiting the Suns, the impression the organization made on me was incredible," Gordon said in a statement. "Mr. (Robert) Sarver, Lon Babby, Lance Blanks, the Front Office Staff and Coach (Alvin) 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."

Gordon's desire to leave the Hornets puts a damper on what had been a terrific week for the club. Last Thursday, New Orleans selected Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick in the draft and guard Austin Rivers at No. 10.

The league-wide assumption was that Gordon and the two rookies would form a trio that would lead the Hornets back to relevance. Of course, that could still be the case if New Orleans matches the offer.