The Celtics and Nuggets continue to lead the Aaron Gordon sweepstakes, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, who reports that the Magic forward would welcome the opportunity to play for either team, or for the Trail Blazers.
While one Wednesday report suggested that Denver had taken the lead as the frontrunner to land Gordon, the Celtics continue to pursue the veteran forward, with John Collins and Harrison Barnes looking to be increasingly less likely targets, Weiss writes.
Weiss suggests that the Timberwolves appear to be falling back in the race to land Gordon, but all indications are that the Magic will continue talks right up until the deadline.
According to Weiss, the Celtics’ desire package for Gordon would be Aaron Nesmith and a first-round pick, giving Orlando the opportunity to create a sizeable traded player exception. However, the team will likely need to up that offer, either by including another first-rounder or by expanding the trade to include Marcus Smart and Evan Fournier.
Here’s more from Weiss on the Celtics:
- While Romeo Langford was mentioned on Wednesday along with Nesmith as a candidate to be an outgoing piece in a Gordon trade, Weiss says the former Hoosiers guard doesn’t have much value due to his injury history and the fact that he was already a “polarizing” prospect entering the 2019 draft. As such, it doesn’t make much sense for the Celtics to sell low on him. Nesmith has more trade value, as Weiss notes.
- Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye haven’t been included in any trade packages that have “advanced to a serious stage,” sources tell Weiss.
- One league source speculated to Weiss that there’s a chance the Celtics could do something more complex involving Gordon, like sending Smart to Orlando and trading draft capital to New Orleans for Lonzo Ball. However, that sounds like a longer shot.
- Tristan Thompson has been frequently mentioned as a trade candidate, and there’s been some frustration that his on-court impact has been modest, per Weiss. However, Thompson is close with Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker, and even if there’s been some frustration with his production, it hasn’t become “animosity” by any means.
If Cs get Lonzo Bill Simmons will explode))
I welcome it
Magic should ask for future picks if they trade with Boston instead of trading for their failed 1st rounders Nesmith and Langford are lottery busts they’re better off with future picks
Nesmith is in his first season…a bit early to label anyone anything.
A lottery pick that can’t get any minutes hardly isn’t a good sign Boston is middle of the pack this year too closer to 500 than leading the east
Nesmith and a 1st i can live with for Gordon
I think the Wolves could end up with him. Blazers on a long shot. That Lillard wanting Gordon comment could have legs if McCollum, Trent, or Simons are involved.
So they need shooting at the 2/3, but they’re going to trade the shooter they drafted that they refuse to use for a 4, which they have several options at, and not include any of those 4s in the deal…makes perfect sense