COMMENTARY | According to a popular interpretation of the Mayan calendar, the world may end on December 21, 2012. However, the end of Eric Gordon's tenure with the New Orleans Hornets may end six days earlier. On December 15, the Hornets have the right to trade their disgruntled, injury-prone shooting guard.
December 15
Over the summer, many Hornets' fans were begging the team to execute a "sign and trade" with the Phoenix Suns to send Eric Gordon away and still get something in return. Unfortunately, the NBA collective bargaining agreement precludes teams from trading players to whom they matched max contract offers until December 15.
Knee injury
I finally discovered the root of all the intrigue surrounding the sorest knee in NBA history on Friday, November 2 when a Chicago doctor said Eric Gordon would need four to six weeks of rest. Four to six weeks from November 2 corresponds beautifully to early December.
This would give Gordon an opportunity to play in a handful of Hornets' games before December 15 to prove to other NBA teams that he is healthy. I'm sure Eric Gordon will be raining down three pointers for the Hornets as a chorus of boos rains down on him in the New Orleans Arena.
Like most Hornets' fans, I never wanted to see Eric Gordon play in New Orleans again. But I supported Hornets GM Dell Demps' decision to match the Suns' contract offer because New Orleans had to get something in return. I think Monty Williams wanted it to work out in New Orleans, but lately even he appears to be frustrated with Gordon.
Personally, I don't care what the Hornets get in return for Eric Gordon if they trade him on December 15. I think he is worth a first round draft pick and that team's shooting guard. Hornets G Austin Rivers is a tough, gritty player, but he is clearly not an NBA starter just yet. But I would settle for just about anything to get Gordon out of New Orleans.
Of course, if the doomsday prophecies are correct, it really won't matter whether the Hornets trade Eric Gordon on December 15 or not. But the tea leaves that I've read are certainly pointing towards an exit strategy for Gordon out of New Orleans on the earliest day possible.
'Armagordon' is coming, New Orleans.
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in attendance the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals. Follow Patrick Michael on Twitter at patmichael84.
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