NBA Rumors: Eric Gordon's Desire to Sign with Hornets Is a Win for Small Markets

Eric Gordon's willingness to sign a long-term contract to remain with the New Orleans Hornets is a win for NBA small market franchises and will hopefully make other stars realize that they can find both happiness and financial security by committing to small markets.

According to Yahoo Sports, NBA commissioner David Stern now must decide whether to give Gordon an extension before Wednesday's deadline. The decision is Stern's since the league owns the Hornets.

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“In terms of my contract extension, Dell Demps indicated that it’s out of his control and NBA commissioner David Stern has the last determination on the contract extension,” said Gordon, who will be a restricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension.

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Earlier this month Gordon stated that he isn't opposed at all to signing a long-term contract with the Hornets.

Per CBS Sports:

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“I’m very open to a long-term extension,” said Gordon, the seventh pick in the 2008 draft. “It’s all about having enough security to where I’m able to be here.”

“You know they’ve told me they want me here, they want an extension,” Gordon said. “But it’s all about what they think is the worth in me. They see that I’m capable of helping this team win, capable of playing hard every night offensively and defensively. Now it’s all about dealing with what I’m worth.”

“I’d say starting next week (talks aimed at an extension) would be very serious and maybe have something down the line. And whatever happens, happens. I think both sides may be able to come to an agreement. But right now, we’re both comfortable.”

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Stern has to sign Gordon to an extension because he is the only star the Hornets have, and he is only going to get better. The 23-year-old shooting guard is a fabulous scorer and arrived in New Orleans as the centerpiece of the Chris Paul trade that sent the superstar point guard from the Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers before the season began.

You have to commend Gordon for not being greedy and selfish like the Carmelo Anthony's of the NBA who want(ed) to ditch their small market teams and go to a large market where they felt they could make more money on and of the court, as well as win championships.

It is certainly possible to win championships in small markets. Look at the San Antonio Spurs, who as a small market have been arguably the most successful basketball franchise since 1999, winning four titles in that span.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a small market team thriving right now and look like they will win multiple championships in the near future.

When you win as a team and perform well individually, you will make money for your on-court performances and by off-court endorsements. Nothing is stopping Kevin Durant from appearing in commercials and endorsing products because he is in Oklahoma City, one of the NBA's smaller markets.

Stars like Gordon are a rarity in today's NBA, where star players are more concerned about forming super teams that have little playoff success rather than show loyalty to their current franchises that have supported him.

Gordon's loyalty to the Hornets is refreshing and a great PR look for the NBA, which has been accused by many fans as being a league where only a few large market teams have a chance to win the championship every year.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Paul trade was whether or not Gordon would sign with the Hornets long term, and now that he's expressed his desire to stay, Stern must make the easy and smart decision by paying him what he wants.

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Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report.