The Hornets have made Eric Gordon a four-year contract extension after receiving authorization from the NBA.

Gordon and the Hornets have until the end of Wednesday to reach a contract extension or he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Gordon had told Yahoo! Sports on Monday that he was waiting to learn whether NBA commissioner David Stern would grant him a contract extension before the deadline. Gordon said he was informed by Hornets general manager Dell Demps that it was up to Stern to decide whether to extend an offer. The NBA owns the Hornets.

Lon Babby said Tuesday night the Suns would not offer Robin Lopez a contract extension, making him a restricted free agent at season's end.

"We reached out to (Lopez's agent) Arn Tellem and let him know that we were willing to engage in discussions to see if there was any common ground that might make sense," Babby said. "Their preference was to wait and see how things unfolded. We're perfectly fine with that.
 
"We just wanted to make sure we made the appropriate overture. Everything was completely amicable."

Blazers interim general manager Chad Buchanan and members of the front office met face-to-face with Bouna Ndiaye, Nicolas Batum’s agent, on Monday and the sides continued conversations intermittently Tuesday.

Neither Buchanan nor Ndiaye would offer specifics about the talks or reveal whether the sides were close to an agreement. But one source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday night that there was “nothing pending.”

Although Batum has repeatedly expressed a desire to remain in Portland and every key person in the Blazers’ front office has called Batum a building block of the future, there appears to be a difference of opinion as to what Batum is worth.

The Magic have decided not exercise their team option on Daniel Orton for the 2012-13 season.

Orton will become an unrestricted free agent in July.

"You have to look at the whole body of work and look at where we are," Otis Smith said on Tuesday.

"It's nothing against Daniel. He's done what he's supposed to do. He's gotten himself in good shape. He's worked his tail off. It's nothing against him at all. It's just the way everything fell this year."

"I haven't done anything on the court to prove that I can play or anything, so I understand why they did it," Orton said. "But I don't understand a lot of things, such as why I didn't get a chance maybe to showcase what I have."

"The kid's healthy, so that's not an issue," said Orton's agent, Ara Vartanian. "I just don't know why you would have a player and not give him a chance to show what he can do or even get someone in return who has some value."

The Magic still could re-sign Orton when he becomes a free agent in July.

Orton was eligible to earn $1,182,600 if the Magic had exercised their option for 12-13.

Kevin Love has not not agreed to a contract extension with the Wolves and talks are ongoing, according to sources.

A report from the Pioneer Press earlier on Tuesday indicated that Love had agreed to a four-year, $62 million extension.

Love will become a restricted free agent in July if he is unable to come to terms on an extension with Minnesota.

The Memphis Grizzlies exercised the third-year contract option on Quincy Pondexter, guaranteeing his contract through the 2012-13 season, Chris Wallace announced.

Pondexter (6-6, 225) has averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds on .469 shooting in 14.9 minutes in 16 games this season after being acquired by Memphis from New Orleans on Dec. 24 for Greivis Vasquez. The 23-year-old scored a career-high tying 14 points on Jan. 8 at LA Lakers, sinking a career-best seven field goals.

The New Orleans Hornets announced that they have picked up the option for the 2012-13 season for Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez.   

Henry (6-6, 220), is in his second NBA season after being selected 12^th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas. 

Vasquez (6-6, 211), is in his second NBA season after being drafted 28th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Maryland. In 17 games with the Hornets this season, he is averaging 5.6 points and 3.1 assists in 18.6 minutes of play.

Flip Saunders has been fired as head coach of the Wizards, according to a source.

Washington has talked to Randy Wittman, currently an assistant coach with the team, about taking the interim role.

The Wizards have a 2-15 start to the season.

Michael Beasley is eligible for an extension from the Wolves and shares the same agent with Kevin Love.

"It looks like it's going to go into summer," said Beasley, who will be a restricted free agent next summer if he doesn't sign an extension now. "I'm not worried about it. Everything will take care of itself. I just want to get back on the floor."

Beasley (sprained foot) isn't expected to play for another week.

The Suns have until Wednesday to come to a contract extension with Robin Lopez but that appears unlikely.

Lopez would then become a restricted free agent on July 1, meaning the Suns still could match any other team's offer sheet to him.

Lon Babby said he has had several discussions with Lopez's agent, Arn Tellem, to inquire about an extension.

"We have talked to see if there was any common ground worth pursuing and I'd say it's unlikely at this time," Babby said. "It's been a completely amicable process. There really isn't any basis for doing a deal and we'll look at it again in the summer."