A day after a photo showing an list of apparent offseason trade and free agent targets for the Magic went viral, Aaron Gordon met with head coach Frank Vogel to talk things over, per Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. Although the leaked dry-erase board primarily features names of players on other teams, Gordon was referenced in an item that reads “[Dario] Saric (for AG?),” creating speculation that the Magic would be open to moving him in a trade for Saric.
“Typically, with rumors and stuff like that, we don’t really address them,” Vogel said. “But this is a unique situation, and I talked to him a little bit this morning, and everybody’s good. We’re ready to move on.”
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan downplayed the significance of the leaked board when he was asked about it, suggesting that it’s simply a list of potential options for the Magic, and that it doesn’t necessarily reflect their summer plans. Hennigan also mentioned that the list includes names “which other teams have inquired about,” an apparent reference to the Gordon item.
Nonetheless, it makes sense for Vogel to meet with Gordon to ensure that the young power forward isn’t unhappy. For his part, Gordon said he doesn’t intend to dwell on the revelation, as Robbins details.
“It wasn’t for me to see, so for me to see something like that, it brings something that’s out of my control into my reality,” Gordon said. “But that’s neither here nor there. My plan and my focus is to play basketball and to enjoy the game of basketball. Anything other than that is out of my control. I love this organization and I’m going to continue to work hard and play.”
It’s an unusual situation for Gordon and the Magic, and one that might be rendered moot in the near future anyway. Hennigan is said to be on the hot seat in Orlando, so if the team makes changes to its front office in the coming weeks, it could be a chance for a new front office team to start over with Gordon.
Meanwhile, the player whose name was listed next to Gordon’s is also doing his best to downplay the item’s significance. As Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes, Saric suggested today that he must be doing something right to show up on another team’s board, though he pointed out that the Magic could have had him already if they really wanted him — Orlando and Philadelphia participated in a draft-night trade in 2014 that saw the Magic acquire Elfrid Payton for the rights to Saric and other pieces.
if I was Gordon I’d want out of there as soon as possible.
Chill he’s the franchise player.
Lol Aaron Gordon is not a franchise player. If so that is just because they have nobody else. Honestly Gordon is not much better than Derrick Williams, who coming out of Arizona too was in the same position as Gordon. Just a tweener between the 3 and 4.
He’s gonna be a more perimeter oriented Blake Griffin. Not as good a passer as Blake but def a better shooter. A degraded version of Blake sounds just about right.
I see where you’re coming from. I just haven’t seen enough from him yet to make that conparison, although he does have a lot of potential.
All Griffin and Gordon have in common is hops and physique. Aaron Gordon isn’t close to being at an all-star level and never will be since he’s a tweener
I could manage the Magic better then Hennigan, let’s hope he doesn’t destroy them by trading Gordon this summer.
It seems likely the Magic are interested in Saric and the Sixers are interested in Gordon. But Saric for Gordon would be a terrible trade for the Sixers. It’s probably not a great trade for the Magic, either.
The Sixers don’t want no Aaron Gordon we don’t need him
He’d be a great backup 3/4 for the Sixers, which I think is Gordon’s best role.
I have to think Hennigan has to be on his way out. That Oladipo/Ibaka deal I’m still scratching my head about that one. Gordon has been balling the last few games.
Maybe magic take okafor for Gordon
Yes, because they need another center… Oh wait, it hasn’t stopped them before.
Not a chance the Sixers make that deal. Magic must condone crack.
He didn’t say it was a good franchise.
AG for Saric. Ain’t happening Orlando.