Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that Bobcats guard Ben Gordon has decided to pick up his $13.2 million player option for 2013-2014, because he's not a moron.
It was possible Gordon would flee to free agency after he openly clashed with coach Mike Dunlap, but then Dunlap was fired after just one year in April. The Bobcats hired former Lakers assistant Steve Clifford, so maybe Gordon feels the relationship with the team can be repaired.
Also, it's $13.2 million dollars.
Gordon signed that deal with the Pistons in 2009, under the prior CBA when he was considered a top-tier free agent coming off a strong playoff push with the Bulls. But Gordon was a non-factor in Detroit and has never been the same player he was in Chicago. On the open market, even as a veteran shooter with years in front of him, Gordon was unlikely to demand anywhere close to that kind of money for a single season.
The Bobcats continue to rebuild (endlessly) however, and could use the expiring deal at the trade deadline, especially if a veteran playoff team is looking for an instant contributor. Gordon averaged 11 points and two assists last season for Charlotte, scoring 19.4 points per 36 minutes on 17.5 shots at a 41 percent clip. He shot 39 percent from three.
