On the eve of the trade deadline, the Nuggets have become the favorites to pry Aaron Gordon away from the Magic, league sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Denver’s offer would include guard Gary Harris, a first-round pick, and either R.J. Hampton, Zeke Nnaji or Bol Bol.
Although the Nuggets seem to have the momentum, the Celtics are still “very engaged” in the process, according to Fischer. Boston’s proposed deal has involved Marcus Smart and a first-rounder, and it’s possible that a second first-round pick and the Celtics’ $28.5MM traded player exception could be used as well, with Evan Fournier also headed to Boston, says Fischer. Previous reports indicated that the C’s were looking to keep Smart out of the deal, offering a younger player in his place.
The Timberwolves, Rockets and Trail Blazers all remain interested in acquiring Gordon too.
Fischer passes on a few more trade rumors as the deadline draws near:
- The Celtics are one of the few teams to express interest in trading for center Nikola Vucevic, but the Magic are putting a much higher price on him than Gordon. Orlando is asking for multiple first-round picks and a player who fits with their young core. Fischer expects Vucevic to stay with the Magic.
- The Clippers, Lakers, Sixers and Heat are all still pursuing Kyle Lowry, but the Raptors‘ high price tag may prevent a deal from getting done. Fischer believes Philadelphia would have to offer two players from the group of Danny Green, Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey, while Miami would need to part with Goran Dragic, another large salary and either Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro. Both Los Angeles teams are limited by their lack of available draft picks.
- J.J. Redick appears headed for a buyout as the Pelicans haven’t found a team willing to offer draft picks or prospects in return for the veteran guard. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report suggests a return to the Sixers is possible or maybe a reunion with former teammate Chris Paul on the Suns.
- The Knicks are interested in Lonzo Ball and have the cap space to keep him in free agency, Pincus adds. The price could be Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox and possibly the Mavericks’ 2021 first-round pick.
- Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan is also high on the Knicks‘ wish list, states A. Sherrod Blakely of Bleacher Report.
Gordon
Celtics are the best
Smart
First
Second
Lowry
Heat are the best
Dragic
Duncan Robinson
Nunn
Heat overpaid
Would be a good deal for Denver but I don’t think it moves the needle much. At OF they have Green and Millsap who both do a decent job. Both are old so I can see why they go younger and want the upgrade but to give up a first aswell as all that seems interesting.
I’d counter with Gary Harris, JaMychal Green, Zeke and a protected first for Aaron Gordon and Mo Bamba.
Then you have Gordon starting at PF that’s an upgrade and Bamba who is abit of a project at this point but could potentially serve as a back up centre with Bol Bol both with high upside.
Orlando get a SG which dress them up to shop Fournier, they get a ready replacement for Gordon, get a upgrade at back up centre and a pick.
I think they got enough depth that they can send out a 20’s pick to get 2 playoff runs w/ Gordon
They do love those 20’s picks tho….
But I see your point, I think they have the position covered well for 21…id be looking for a more off ball 2/3 shooter with my assets…… tho not many exist it seems on the trade market …… price pretty cheap on VO these days ,maybe just buy as a rental
Yeah I would thought Oladipo would be a target and then if you want PF you would target someone that better defensively as Jokic isn’t the best defender.
As for the pick yes, probably mid/late 20’s but those have worked out well for the Nuggets.
I know I’ll get ripped for this idea but Harrison Barnes would actually be a better option. Barnes is perfect for that 4/5th shooter, he’s a good defender, can play either forward spot well and similarly to Jerami Grant can step up his scoring if needed. Gordon isn’t as good defensively, struggled playing the 3 at times, has good skills and good shooting but not as consistent a shooter and would demand more touches of the ball. Barnes would fit nicely behind Jokic Murray Porter and just play his role which allows him to seemlessly fit that locker room. He’s also got playoff experience.
I’d offer them Gary Harris and Zeke for Barnes and a second round pick. Then possibly try make a deal for Oladipo using Barton, Green and Hampton plus a second round pick.
That would make your team better defensively and you’d have more spacing for Jokic to operate. Off the bench you’d lack a little bit still have Morris, Compazoo, Dozier, Millsap, Bol Bol and open up 3 roster positions by the trades. Defensively you have throw Oladipo on their best guard and Barnes on their best wing and be fine and offensively Jokic would have 4 good shooters around him.
People forget how good the Warriors were with Harrison Barnes in their death lineup before KD replaced him. Great 3 and D guy.
Exactly bro, he’s not a star he’s a good role player. Which is what the nuggets need, they don’t need a star or want to be.
And if you dive deeper compare Barnes and Gordon’s numbers.
Barnes: 16-6.6-3.7 shooting 49-36-83 on 11 shot attempts.
Gordon: 14.6-6.6-4.2 shooting 44-37.5-63 on 12 shot attempts.
Barnes averages more points on less shots, the same amount of rebounds and slightly less assists. While shooting the ball more efficiently and not a liability at the free throw line.
He’s also a much more versatile player, better defender and just all round better role player. He’s happy to play 4th/5th option having played with GSW and won a title. Gordon on the other hand is younger, less playoff experience, more of an ego, always been a 2nd or 3rd option and just hasn’t lived up to what we all thought he could do.
Surprised teams are willing to give up a first round pick for Gordon really
I dont see Sacramento giving up Barnes for anything less than something relatively significant
I much prefer Gordon to Barnes, but I see how he could be a better fit-in to something established. Gordon is still tweener-like and I hopes a run elsewhere.
If the Knicks think Lonzo’s the guy;
Frank the tank, Knox, and Mavs 21 is a No brainer
From a zoo to Lonzo Quickley RJ and possibly Rose on the cheap is a good and exciting mix to move forward with
A slight overpay shouldn’t be of concern here just…
A- Is he the guy
B- What’s he think of NY for the next 5 years, that matters, if it aint his scene you pass.
If everybody’s on board, this price is trivial
Frank the tank Jr
Suns have Frank the tank Sr
It doesn’t matter what the Knicks think. He is not the answer and they should not trade any picks from this draft.
Powell,Draft Picks,fillers to Magic
Lowry/Victor O. to Heat
Raptors get Gordon,Nunn and Draft Picks
Fournier,Robinson and so on to Rockets.
That trade works a lot better if Aaron Gordon goes to Houston.
Keep dreaming
Wonder if lakers would take a look at reddick
Literally earlier today on a previous article I mentioned something similar in a potential Denver real, with them being connected…
Gary Harris, Jamychal Green, RJ Hampton, 2021 1st round pick for Gordon, Terrence Ross, and Orlando 2024 2nd round pick? I dont know if that’s a good enough upgrade for Denver though…I think the money actually still works for Fournier instead of Ross, but maybe Denver would need an extra tiny asset there? Either way, those 2/3 spots, are the main areas where they’ve needed help these last couple of years. Not sure where they can get it. One idea could actually trying for a multi positional guard to upgrade at PG, preferably someone that can defend and shoot, like Lonzo Ball, and using Murray at the 2. They’re already using Monte Morris and Murray together, which I argued for last year, so that could be the way to go
Harris has 1 less year than Ross I think, and is at least better than him defensively, maybe with the exception of this year, but then he has been more efficient offensively than Ross. Both guys have had injury issues. Also Orlando could arguably use a player like him, so it might work.
Denver should have acted 2 years ago, before people realized about Harris. At the time, I said a few times I thought they would, but now we’re here, they still have Harris, luckily for them Barton got better, but they lost Beasley, and have fewer assets. Definitely curious to see what they do b/c they dont have nearly the depth they’ve had the last 2 years
I’ve said over and over that as a Heat fan, I would move Herro for Lowry. I wouldnt move Duncan Robinson, unless I’m getting Anunoby and Powell in a much larger trade, so pretty much wouldnt move him. I also wouldnt move Dragic. Having my 7th eye surgery in the morning, so doubt I’ll be able to look at much tomorrow, but hopefully some stuff that’s been talked about gets done, even though there have been some weird rumors with teams like the Celtics, and some others, that dont make too much sense. There are always deals like that
Lowry, Randle & Powell to Philly.
Harris and Maxey to NY
Green, Frank and Scott to Toronto with picks.
Boston and Orlando just for fun.
Boston gets
Vucevic
Fournier
Gordan
Orlando gets
Brown
Smart
Williams
Pritchard
I hope Boston does nothing, the Celtics are fried … Fanny Angie needs to go and take his coach with him!
So you’re telling me Orlando can get Gary Harris, a first round pick, and Bol Bol for Aaron Gordon. Why hasn’t he Ben traded yet?
Been*