NBA Free Agency 2012: Eric Gordon Helped Hornets by Signing Suns' Offer Sheet

Perhaps Eric Gordon didn't believe the New Orleans Hornets when they said they would match any offer sheet he signed. Or perhaps he simply didn't want a max contract to stay with the Hornets.

But whatever the case may be, he certainly saved the Hornets a lot of money when he signed four year, $58 million contract with the Suns. From John Reid of The Times-Picayune:

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Gordon was seeking a maximum-money contract, but the Hornets are the only team that can extend him a five-year, $79 million deal. With Gordon setting his market value with the Suns’ offer, the Hornets won’t have to offer him a five-year deal to retain him. In January, the Hornets offered Gordon a four-year, $50 million extension, but he turned it down to pursue free agency.

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Now, all of this money Gordon saved the Hornets won't buy the team many wins if he returns to New Orleans as a petulant, unhappy teammate that doesn't give his best effort. If he gets it into his head that he can push his way out of New Orleans by loafing on the court and being a distraction in the locker room, he'll spoil an otherwise solid investment by the Hornets.

But why would he? Why would it be so bad to remain in New Orleans?

The team drafted a future stud in Anthony Davis, who will be a dominant post player sooner rather than later. They also snagged Austin Rivers, who if nothing else will add a scoring threat and athleticism to the bench. Even Darius Miller is an underrated commodity that should help this team.

So with a little bit of patience, Gordon could lead a young team that nailed this year's draft and has a ton of potential. He and Davis could soon form on of the game's most potent interior-perimeter duos in the NBA.

He won't be able to say that with the Suns.

So no, I don't think Gordon will make himself a distraction. I think he'll accept that he's a Hornet, make the best of it and lead this promising young team. He'll be the face of the franchise until Davis assumes the role, and in the process align himself with the game's future dominant post presence.

And all the while, the Hornets will remember him signing an offer sheet as a blessing that saved them one contract year and $21 million. In the end, everyone wins.

If Gordon plays ball, that is.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets want Dwight Howard to just get traded already, too.