Although Eric Gordon proceeded with his exit plan after expressing his desire to play for the Phoenix Suns, the Hornets are expected to match the Suns’ four-year, $58 million offer sheet today to retain him, sources confirmed.

Gordon signed the Suns’ offer sheet Wednesday and the Hornets had three days to match. By using their entire 72-hour allotted time, they prevented the Suns from pursuing other players in free agency because Phoenix does not have enough salary-cap space to accommodate Gordon and another addition.

Gordon said he doesn’t want to play for the Hornets because his heart is in Phoenix. Gordon also questioned the Hornets’ decision to draft guard Austin Rivers with the 10th overall pick in last month’s draft, saying they drafted another combo guard like him, which meant, in his opinion, they have a different plan.

via John Reid of the Times Picayune