NBA Free Agency 2012: Power Ranking Top Destinations for Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon was one of the main pieces sent to the New Orleans Hornets in the Chris Paul trade and despite being injured most of his final season before hitting free agency, he's done a decent job.  The Hornets may be struggling, but the 6'3" shooting guard has averaged 20.1 points per contest in just seven games.  That said, he should receive several lucrative offers this summer.

Where will Gordon go?  Lots of teams out there need help at the 2-spot, and his scoring abilities are on such a level that having him could mean getting over hurdles.

Here are some teams out there who, come July, may very well pitch Gordon.

No. 5: New Orleans Hornets

Were I writing this a month ago, the Hornets wouldn't even be mentioned. 

At that time, they were run by the NBA and the team budget was basically nonexistent.  Yet last week, the team was bought by New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who is already talking about giving the squad a new name.

Given how a new owner usually means an influx of money, it's perfectly reasonable to believe that Benson will do all he can the retain Gordon as the face of New Orleans' new-and-improved NBA franchise.  If that does indeed happen, it may very well seem as though Chris Paul never left.

No. 4: Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota is on its way back to being a great team led by Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love, but their options at shooting guard are limited.  Draft bust Martell Webster and former Tar Heel Wayne Ellington are little more than three-point shooters, and Malcolm Lee will never be an elite NBA guard.

The way I see it, Gordon has the potential to do extremely well if he's on a team with a top point guard getting him the ball.  Rubio is that and more, so the possibilities are endless.

On top of that, having Gordon on the Timberwolves would make the team more than just a two-trick pony.  By taking some of the pressure off of Love and Rubio, Gordon could easily have the team back in the postseason for years to come.

No. 3: Memphis Grizzlies

I love Tony Allen and his defensive intensity, but his 10.3 points per game are a bit low for a shooting guard.  I understand that shooting isn't his forte, but playing that position should mean he can be counted on to make a shot when the game is on the line.  When push comes to shove, he's more of a Bruce Bowen-like pest who is probably best suited coming off the bench.

Enter Gordon in Memphis, where offense is needed outside of Mike Conley, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol. 

He would do a fine job in getting the young team over the hump and putting it among the elite teams in the already competitive Western Conference—and perhaps finally create some sort of competitive balance throughout the league.

No. 2: San Antonio Spurs

There's no other way of saying it. 

The Spurs are an old team that needs to get younger, and fast.  Seeing as how Manu Ginobili is better coming off the bench and Daniel Green is far from a solid option, the free-agent market and/or the draft is the best way to find help at shooting guard.

That being said, why not bring in Gordon? 

He's only 23 years old and has a phenomenal shooting touch, so why not have a deadly tandem at the 2 in him and Ginobili?  Both do a great job in their own way and have the potential to be pests at both ends of the court, so the possibilities could be endless should the approach work out.

No. 1: Dallas Mavericks

Regarding the Mavericks, I'll keep it simple as to why Gordon would be a good fit there.  Jason Terry has hinted that he's basically going to leave the team via free agency, and Delonte West and Vince Carter are far from top-notch options at shooting guard.

Gordon and his 20 points per game would be welcomed by Dirk Nowitzki & Company.