Report: Pelicans' Gordon leaning toward not opting out of contract

Guard Eric Gordon is leaning toward the side of playing out the last year of his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to John Reid of nola.com.

Gordon can opt out of the deal this summer.

In addition to collecting the $15.5 million owed to him, there's some logic to staying put. Gordon's career has been marked by injuries, as he's missed a possible 186 games in his seven-year career, including 21 this past season.

Perhaps most noteworthy to Gordon, however, is new Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. The current Golden State Warriors assistant and former Phoenix Suns boss runs an up-tempo offense with plenty of shots go around a backcourt rotation featuring Gordon, Tyreke Evans, and Jrue Holiday.

The Suns signed Gordon to an offer sheet in 2012 while Gentry was coach - a deal New Orleans matched.

Gordon averaged 13.4 points on an unspectacular 41 percent shooting this season, but was a career-best 44.8 percent from three-point territory. He has until June 29 to notify the Pelicans of his player option.