"New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon said Friday morning it was a mutual decision between him and the franchise to put off trying to get an extension agreement finalized before Wednesday's deadline. Gordon will become a restricted free agent on July 1, and the Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said they will make a push to re-sign him.

``It wasn't that I turned down anything, it works both ways,'' Gordon said. ``Yes, I'll be restricted, but I am just a basketball player right now and the future is unclear.

``All I can do is worry about coming back at this point to try and help the team win games at the end of the year. It's not the best situation, but it's also not the worst. As long as I get back playing that will be the thing.''

Sources said Gordon wanted a maximum-money, four to five-year contract. But the Hornets and NBA, who currently owns the franchise, weren't willing to offer him a four-year, $62 million deal."