Ben Gordon, the 3^rd overall selection in the 2004 NBA draft, appears to be done in Chicago after four seasons.  Having declined a 5 year, $50 million extension with the Bulls last year, Gordon has been unable to reach an agreement this summer with the team that once had very high hopes for the former UConn star.  When asked about his basketball future, Gordon said, “I guess it’s safe to say I’ve played my last game in a Bulls uniform.”  Gordon and his representatives are rumored to be seeking a deal in the $11-$13 million dollar per season range, much like his draft class peers Josh Smith, Luol Deng, and Emeka Okafor.  Gordon’s agent claimed that Europe is a possibility for his client.

This situation is going to be an interesting one.  First of all, if Ben Gordon bolts for Europe, he will be the biggest name yet to do so.  His departure would show that there could be a slow transition from role players leaving towards stars doing the same.

In his four years in Chicago, Ben Gordon showed NBA fans, coaches, and executives a number of different things.  First, Gordon showed that he can light up a scoreboard in bunches, no matter who was defending him.  Over the course of his career, Gordon has averaged 18 ppg in just over 30 mpg, with most of those minutes coming off the bench.  Gordon can score.  There is no question about that. 

However, Gordon has also given many people doubts about his game.  He has shown that at 6’3, he lacks the size to guard bigger, quality 2 guards.  At a size more suitable for a point guard, Gordon has not shown a great ability to distribute the ball, but rather has been nothing more than a scorer on the offensive end.  While not an awful rebounder, Gordon does not make up for his porous defense and his inability to distribute with his rebounding skills.  Gordon definitely has holes in his game.

That all said, there was a time when I really wanted Ben Gordon on the Knicks.  To be honest, part of me still does (I would love to have him if he wouldn’t require a contract that would hurt our future cap flexibility).  Last year was not a good year for Gordon, despite averaging 18.6 ppg.  But in reality, last season was not a good one for the Bulls as a whole.  Their coach was fired mid-season.  Their other top player, Luol Deng, did not make many forward strides.  Ben Wallace was a bust.  They had no (and still have no) real inside offensive force.  Oh, and let’s not forget the heated rumor that had nearly half the Bulls’ roster, including Ben Gordon, being shipped in a deal for Kobe Bryant at the start of last season.  Ben Gordon got caught up in a mediocre situation, and I believe that has contributed to his mediocre reputation this off-season.

When I think of Ben Gordon, I think more of the player who would take over the 4^th quarter of every game earlier in his career, and not the inconsistent player that he was last year.  But you have to wonder if giving $11 million to a player who has been best suited off the bench is a great idea.  True, he averaged 18.6 ppg last season, but so did a guy like Leonardo Barbosa who averaged 18.1 and 15.6 ppg over the last two seasons respectively.  Barbosa only makes about $6-$7 million per season.  Is Gordon $5 million better than Barbosa, given that both are true 6^th men?  I don’t know if I can say yes.

I can see teams like the Pistons or the Nuggets getting him.  I wish the Knicks had room for him, but they really don’t.  I am curious to see how this plays out.   

Update… I heard earlier on 1050 ESPNradio that the Blazers may look into bringing in Gordon and moving Brandon Roy to the lead guard.  Of course Roy is recovering from knee surgery, but he figures to be back before the season opens.  The Blazers have rebuilt very well and will add Greg Oden and Jerryd Bayless to the mix this season.  Gordon is the type of big-time scoring threat that can make this team a real force out west.  I have grown to like the Blazers, and if they get Gordon, they would be even more exciting to watch.