Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic could be heading to a much-needed separation.
Recent reports and many across the last year have mentioned the possibility and/or likelihood that the Magic will trade Gordon. He has appeared in just 20 games this season due to an ankle injury, and fellow forward Jonathan Isaac was given a four-year, $80 million extension last offseason. Meanwhile, the Magic are in the midst of an awful season low-lighted by injuries and being the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference.
All that said, a healthy Aaron Gordon is an impactful player. He's an offensive springboard who skies above the rim, hits the boards at a plausible rate, attacks the rack and has a capable jump shot. Gordon is averaging 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 36.5 percent from behind the arc across the contests he has appeared in this season.
With that said, we take a look at the three teams who could trade for Aaron Gordon (especially after a deal that would've sent him to the Houston Rockets fell through).
3. Chicago Bulls
Bulls receive: Aaron Gordon and a 2023 second-round draft pick
Magic receive: Lauri Markkanen and Cristiano Felicio
Markkanen's days in Chicago appear to be coming to an end, and there's merit behind the Magic moving Gordon, who's in the third season of a four-year, $80 million deal.
The Bulls are trying to make the playoffs, and having players who fit alongside Zach LaVine and Coby White for the home stretch would be beneficial. Gordon's bouncy offensive game would fit well in-between versatile rookie forward Patrick Williams and center Wendell Carter Jr. Such play would give the Bulls rotation another energetic scorer who can attack off the dribble. Plus, Gordon is under contract for an extra season (Markkanen and Felicio are slated to hit the open market after this season).
Markkanen could be a short-term flier for Magic head coach Steve Clifford's rotation. The big man stretches the floor and has shown an ability to be a prominent source of offense for an NBA team. A frontcourt duo of Markkanen and Nikola Vucevic would be a compelling pairing. Like Markannen, Felicio could essentially audition to be part of the team's 2021-22 roster. The latter has been a reliable rotation big man in recent memory.
Perhaps the two could be long-term pieces to the puzzle for Orlando? The mystery over such a verdict is the knock against such a return.
2. Miami Heat
Heat receive: Aaron Gordon
Magic receive: Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, a 2022 second-round draft pick via the Philadelphia 76ers or Denver Nuggets and a 2025 first-round draft pick
The Heat could use a rotation enhancer. With that said, adding an exuberant forward would be a savvy move.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra can utilize Aaron Gordon in one of two ways: have him be an offensive spark plug off the bench or start him next to Bam Adebayo. The case for bringing Gordon off the bench revolves around boosting the second unit and picking up the slack when the likes of Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Tyler Herro aren't on the floor. On the other hand, Gordon should be a seamless fit next to Adebayo, as the two frontcourt players are versatile offensive contributors. Gordon would add electricity to an already vibrant starting five.
Now, Gordon's $20 million average annual salary isn't ideal. That said, his contract expires in 2022, so Miami should be able to move the forward if their partnership heads south. From Orlando's perspective, they get some draft capital, albeit it's years down the road, and they could attempt to flip Iguodala for more picks and/or a talented young player. They can also get Okpala, 21, on the right track with playing time.
The case against this trade is the possibility of Heat rookie Precious Achiuwa losing playing time and Kelly Olynyk thriving as a starter. They may identify trading for a more prominent player as a better option than trading for Gordon.
1. Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks receive: Aaron Gordon
Magic receive: James Johnson, Josh Green, Wes Iwundu, a 2022 second-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round draft pick
The Mavericks went into Monday just 20th in the NBA in points per game (111.9). They could use another player who puts the ball in the cup at a considerable rate, and having that addition come in the frontcourt would be ideal for their sake. Enter Gordon.
Gordon's ability to get to the rack off the dribble and score in a variety of ways would fit well next to big man Kristaps Porzingis. It would also serve as a complementary skill set to Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson handling the rock. While they trade a rookie in Green and a proven commodity in Iwundu, this trade is worth the price of admission given Gordon's fit. He'd lift their offense, whether it be starting or serving as the first forward off head coach Rick Carlisle's bench. You can't have enough scoring and impactful depth in the Western Conference.
On the flip side, the Magic get a capable rookie in Green. He shot 36.1 percent from beyond the arc in his freshman season at Arizona and showcased a willingness to put the ball on the floor. Green has been an infrequent participant in the Mavs rotation this season and could prove himself to be a reliable rotation player with the Magic down the stretch of the regular season. Meanwhile, Iwundu played for the Magic from 2017 to 2020, meaning he has familiarity with Clifford's system. Maybe the Magic can flip Johnson's expiring contract to a contender for a second-rounder?
The Mavericks improve and the Magic get a competent haul.
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