Reports: Pelicans guard Eric Gordon opts in for final year of contract

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon has reportedly exercised the $15.5 million player option in his contract for next season

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon exercised the player option in his contract for next season, according to multiple media outlets.

Gordon had until June 29 to make a decision on his future and could have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Gordon, 26, is scheduled to make $15.5 million for the final year of a four-year, $58.4 million contract he signed in 2012. The Phoenix Suns and Gordon had agreed on terms of a deal, but New Orleans matched the deal, keeping Gordon with the team.

Gordon played in 61 games this season for New Orleans, averaging a career-low 13.4 points a game. He missed 21 games after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in February

His scoring average has gone down in each of past four seasons, despite shooting a career-high 45% from three-point range this season.

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Originally a first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008, Gordon was dealt to New Orleans in December 2011, a trade that also involved All-Star point guard Chris Paul.

In seven NBA seasons, Gordon has career averages of 16.8 points, 3.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds.

- Scooby Axson