Gordon set to join Clippers

Even though he’s a “Midwest guy,” Eric Gordon doesn’t foresee any problems moving to Los Angeles to join the Clippers.

“I get a chance to be around the water. Living here is going to be easy for me,” Gordon said.

But living near the ocean is only one of about 8 million reasons why the move is a good one for the 19-year old.

The Clippers and Gordon, the seventh overall pick of the NBA draft, on Wednesday agreed to a three-year, $8.4-million contract, with a qualifying option for a fourth year.

“Hopefully, I’m somewhat of a missing piece to getting that chemistry back together,” Gordon said. “I think this is a great group to play with. You have a lot of veteran guys who are all-stars, and it’ll just be great to get a chance to play with them.”

The Clippers, who had a record of 23-59 last season, want the 6-foot-3 former Indiana guard to alleviate some of their perimeter shooting woes and give them backcourt depth.

“He can shoot from anywhere on the floor and he’s going to open up things inside and he plays great defense,” said Elgin Baylor, Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations. “He might play some point guard . . . but basically we’re looking at him playing the two spot.”

Baylor said Gordon can make an impact next year similar to the way Al Thornton did last season. Thornton averaged 12.7 points and 4.5 rebounds in his rookie campaign.

“The kid is really going to help us. How soon? I don’t know,” Baylor said. “You just hope he can come right away and make an impact like Al did. It took Al a few games, but I know Eric can make a contribution.”

--

chris.hine@latimes.com