NBA Trade Rumors: New Orleans Hornets Set To Trade Eric Gordon For Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson? Knee Injury Holding Up Deals?

Last season, the Hornets matched an offer from the Phoenix Suns and Gordon stayed put. The combo guard publicly stated he felt Phoenix provided him the best opportunity to grow in the NBA.

The idea of pairing Gordon with promising No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis was too tempting for New Orleans last summer, but now the team may have opened up to breaking up the young tandem.

The Golden State Warriors are one team to show interest in the Gordon, according to The Times-Picayune. Guard Klay Thompson would be the other main cog of the deal, but the Warriors are reticent to part with the emerging sharpshooter.

That followed a report from ESPN’s Chris Broussard that said the Hornets have put Gordon on the block, but teams are hesistant to make a deal because of Gordon’s injury history.

The Warriors, already projected to be over the salary cap next season, would have to absorb the three years and $44 million left on Gordon’s deal. With the new luxury tax rules beginning next year, Golden State’s tax bill could jump exponentially.

Fox Sports Sam Amico also reported Wednesday that New Orleans would have to accept the contract of forward Richard Jefferson or center Andris Biedrins.

Still, a backcourt of a healthy Gordon and Stephen Curry could be an intriguing duo for Golden State.

Warriors head coach Mark Jackson has rewarded Thompson with a huge jump in minutes this season, and the second-year guard has responded with 16.4 points per game. Golden State may be in need of a shake up. The Warriors have lost six straight games, and are ranked 26th in defense, but still hold down the No. 6 seed in the West.

The 24-year-old Gordon has only appeared in 28 games for New Orleans since they acquired him before last season in the trade that sent point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers.

ESPN blog Hornets247.com further broke down Gordon’s injury history, and pointed out he’s missed 86 games due to his knee injury, and another 24 due to injuries to his right hand and wrist. When healthy, Gordon has averaged 18.1 points and nearly 45 percent shooting from the field.