A potential trade between the Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic has been among the few storylines of this upcoming trade deadline. The potential of trading the recently-acquired D'Angelo Russell for Aaron Gordon has become prominent, but as Sam Amick of The Athletic pointed out, it's rather “unlikely” to happen.
The good news for Russell, who has battled injuries of his own this season while averaging 23.2 points, six assists and 3.4 rebounds in 22 games for the floundering Warriors? A source with knowledge of the Warriors’ thinking deems it “unlikely” that he will be moved. And for those Magic fans who have been hoping for a Gordon-for-Russell swap, another source with knowledge of the Warriors’ dealings offered a hard “no” when asked specifically about that scenario.
Gordon has been on the mend several times this season and has regressed as the breakout player he was in 2018-19, which has given the Magic pause after seeing him as the potential cornerstone of their franchise.
Russell has battled injuries of his own this season while averaging 23.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 22 games for the 9-30 Warriors, which are at the bottom of the barrel in the Western Conference.
Amick's source with knowledge of the Warriors’ dealings offered a hard “no” when asked specifically about a potential Russell-Gordon trade.
The Warriors will listen to offers for Russell, but have reportedly committed to consider him a part of their nucleus and will need a knock-your-socks-off type of offer to consider moving him prior to the Feb. 6 deadline. Golden State is valuing youth above most things nowadays, and the 23-year-old lefty offers that along with a high ceiling as a scorer.
The Magic fear that the skillsets of Gordon and budding talent Jonathan Isaac could be too similar, and could opt to keep the younger, cheaper option (Isaac) and hope he has a steadier climb than Gordon has in his six seasons in the league.
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