8:56am: Gordon has reportedly requested a trade through his representatives, sources tell Jared Weiss and Sam Amick of The Athletic. A report last week suggested that the Magic forward would be “open to a change of scenery.”
8:42am: The Rockets and Magic have engaged in serious talks about a potential Aaron Gordon trade, league sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN. While Lowe isn’t clear on the exact terms that have been discussed, he says it would likely take significant draft compensation from Houston (ie. multiple picks) to land Gordon.
Shams Charania of The Athletic published a similar report, writing that the Rockets and Magic have discussed a Gordon trade that would involve two first-round picks. A previous report indicated that Orlando was seeking a first-rounder and a quality young player, so this sounds like a similar ask.
Both Lowe and Charania say that no deal is imminent, but that there have been substantive talks. Although Gordon has been the subject of trade rumors for a year or two, this is the first time a deal really feels possible, according to Lowe, who suggests the odds could even be better than 50/50.
If the Magic do trade Gordon, it wouldn’t necessary be to Houston. Both Lowe and Charania say that the Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Trail Blazers remain interested, while sources tell Charania and The Athletic’s Jared Weiss that the Celtics are also still eyeing Gordon.
A Sunday report on the discussions between the Rockets and Magic suggested that Victor Oladipo could be part of those talks, with the two-time All-Star re-routed to a third team.
According to Charania, Houston’s asking price for Oladipo is thought to be a quality first-round pick or a good young player — if the team gets a first-rounder for Oladipo, it could be flipped to Orlando for Gordon. However, some teams around the NBA are wondering if the Rockets will have to settle for second-round compensation for Oladipo, Charania writes. League sources tell The Athletic that the Heat, Knicks, and Pistons have showed some interest in Oladipo.
First, will houston actually get a 1st for a rental on V.O.?
Second, why does Houston want Aaron Gordon and Wood? Besides size and weight, they are practically the same player with same skillset.
Its simple wood is a center and Gordon is a pf…
Agreed – and also Gordon is in his mid-20’s, so he doesn’t exactly fit the timeline of team just starting a rebuild
And one other thing: are we sure Aaron Gordon is actually good? I think the jury’s out
yes you can play them at PF and C. but they practically do the same thing. you want your starting 5 to bring all different things to the table. gordon and wood dont to that
They’re both capable 3pt shooters, not the best but can knock it down. They’ll both spread the floor and open lanes for everyone including themselves. I think they fit with each other, young and athletic. Good frontcourt to develop KP and KJ.
Mid 20s is not really rebuild age? You’re aware that a players prime doesn’t usually happen to they’re 28 or 29? Gordon is a perfect age to help lead a rebuild
Actually, I am aware of when most players hit their prime. Do you when most players get run out of the league? In today’s era not too long after they hit 30.
It doesn’t make sense to build around Gordon if you’re looking to pick in the top 5 for the next 3-5 years, which – barring a miracle – Houston will be doing.
Say in two years Houston gets franchise cornerstone type pick (optimistic but let’s go with it) – Gordon will at that point be going on 28 and their younger guys will 18-19.
So by the time your top pick(s) can drink legally Gordon is on the wrong side of 30. Hence he doesn’t make a lot of sense for a team at the *beginning* of its rebuild.
The Rockets are not picking in the top 5 for the next 3-5 years. They’ve had about that many top 5 picks over the past 30-35 years.
Maybe not with the new lottery odds, which really just reinforces my point – that this team needs to stock up on picks instead of mediocre mid-20s swingmen.
But you guys are going to be a bottom 5 team this year and most likely next year at least – I would put money on that.
Are you joking? The Rockets won tonight. They are now a 1-game winning str…ok, never mind.
Right, lionel, he will be in his prime when the rest are still developing!!! This is the point!!
Agreed. I’m thinking his opportunity to show he’s good has passed. Other than being athletically gifted and winning a dunk contest, he really hasn’t impressed.
In fairness to him, his whole career has been spent on Orlando Island with virtually no help. I could see him blossoming on a team where he is not expected to carry the bulk of the load.
He might not be the #1 guy on a championship team, but he could be a #2 guy or easily a #3.
AG has never ever, even for 1 game had to carry any load in ORL, around there is a dude called Nikola Vucevic, he actually does it all in there, pretty well if you ask me!
AG has always been the #2-3 in a bad team, so he ain’t ever gonna be more than a starter for any team, right?
Perhaps, but he’s never averaged more than 17ppg on a bad team. One would think if he were good and one of the top players on the team that he’d have all the opportunity in the world to toss up shots and pad his stats.
I think Dallas should go out and get Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon from Magic.
Why aren’t the Celtics involved in this. Danny needs to do what it takes to make a big splash
Celtics dont need help at that position. If anything, they could use a shooter at the 2/3. Ellington makes a lot of sense for them in my opinion, especially since they refuse to use Nesmith
C’s don’t need a PF. They need another player maker/scorer like that had in Hayward last year.
You’re familiar with Danny Ainge?
Because aaron Gordon isn’t a big splash. He’s not even a splash
Houston has multiple guys at his position now, 1 of them being someone I compared to him. Kenyon Martin jr reminds me of him
Only 2 of the 15 players on their roster are taller than 6’6″ (not counting their two-way players). How exactly do they already have multiple guys at his position?
Kenyon Martin jr, Jae’Sean Tate, DJ Wilson, Anthony Lamb are all 4s primarily, although there is some versatility there. House can arguably play at that spot as well.
I guess Aaron Gordon grew tired of Disney Land. Vucevic seems to love it.
Houston is trying to drive the price up on Gordon so other teams will have to burn more assets to get him.
Why does Orlando have to trade Gordon now? Gordon is under contract for next season. Orlando has Vucevic, Gordon, Ross and Bamba coming back. If Fultz and Isaac can make successful comebacks, it would not be a bad team. Understand Orlando has a lot of money committed to their roster for next season. Gordon is a good player. Why trade Gordon? A couple of years ago, I went to an Orlando Chicago game here in Chicago. Vucevic and Gordon destroyed the Bulls interior players which isn’t hard to do.
and how many playoff game series have they won since then….. zero…. time for a change
You do have a valid point. If these guys are that good then why haven’t they done anything in the playoffs. I don’t live in Orlando. So don’t follow the Magic in detail. Don’t the Magic always seem to have injuries at very inconvenient times? On paper the Magic’s roster looks good. Fultz is a talent but has had injuries since day one of his career.
Getting into the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed and then being immediately knocked out and being all capped out as far as trying to add more to the team and not being high enough in the draft is a bad position to be in.
The reason to move Gordon would be b/c of their options at his position, and need for shooting/scoring on the wing/at guard. That being said, it’s not entirely imperative, as if they were finally fully healthy next season, they can be dangerous defensively. I just feel like that is something you could say for a few years now, and you might want to utilize his value to either fill one of those needs and/or add asset(s). They’ve really struggled to address those issues, which have been the same for a while
This is like saying you quit after they fire you. They have been actively trying to trade him lol.
Exactly – Gordon’s been on the block for like 3 seasons now. Very ironic trade request
But as a fan I absolutely hate & detest to see a team openly wanting to get rid of a player… but I must admit I absolutely love when a player requests a trade!
Right now AG has grown a lot in my estimation of him!
One can’t but wish more players would ask out of their bad situations, like Kawhi, AD, Harden… just what it should be!
Dear lord here comes another name change for that Rockets homer.
I wouldn’t trade 2 firsts for gordon. Mediocre and doesn’t fit time line. Houston better off drafting cade and building around him.
They’re not giving up two first round pick for Gordon. Orlando will probably settle for the first round pick the Rockets just got from Milwaukee plus Oladipo.
If my hair didn’t already have grey in it, reading your homer comments would definitely turn it grey. Gordon is worth more than a late round 1st genius.
Agree. Gordon is worth more than Milwaukee’s 2023 1st and Oladipo. Oladipo can just walk after this season.
They can do better. Plenty of teams want Gordon. There is a market for him. Be wise if Rockets could use Oladipo in three way to get Gordon.
Gordon to the Rockets and Lowry to the Heat feel like paid-for stories to pump the players value for a different trade. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro are not Tyrese Maxey, and Shake Milton. Whom I would trade for Lowry along with a 1st maybe. Aaron Gordon to the Celtics, Blazers is easily believable. Wolves, Rockets doesn’t make sense. Wolves completely violate the request by Gordon, and I don’t like the fit in Houston with Wood. Nurkic, KAT, Robert Williams are a better fit. IMHO
I like the Gordon trade idea. If Wood remains healthy and Gordon at PF, rebounds will be a battle for opposing team. Wood, Gordon, and Porter Jr, could be something special to watch. But will Magic and Rockets agree to a deal?
One must consider Gordon’s attitude if one is looking to trade for him. He could aggravate. Not many have the balls to publicly request a trade. On the other hand, attitude could be a good sign. for instance Aldredge did not get along with Lilliard; would Gordon? May not work in Denver either, but Celtics yes. HOU & MIN are mishmashy and also not winners like he “demanded”.