NBA: 3 players that need a change of scenery this offseason
By Dalton Sell
Aaron Gordon
Ever since his breakout in the 2017-18 season, Aaron Gordon‘s production has decreased the following two seasons. Although his name has been murmured in trade talks every now and then, the Orlando Magic have held onto their 24-year-old forward, even though he could benefit from a new home in the NBA.
Gordon has shown flashes of star potential in his six years in the NBA, but the Magic’s bolstered frontcourt has limited him drastically this season. Gordon started 58 games for Orlando this year, but with a frontcourt consisting of Mo Bamba, Khem Birch, Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Isaac, and Al-Farouq Aminu, his production has decreased tremendously.
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The forward averaged a mere 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, which was a significant step backward for a player that many believed was an ascending star a few seasons ago. With a subpar 3-point shot, this loaded frontcourt has factored into Gordon’s scoring ability because of the spacing issues.
With two years left on his current deal, Gordon will make around $18 million next season, and $16 million the next season, in a rare contract where the money decreases over time. Because of this contract situation, Gordon could be a viable option for teams looking to make some noise on the trade market this offseason, and he desperately needs a new home. If a team with less frontcourt occupancy such as the Boston Celtics or the San Antonio Spurs landed Aaron Gordon, he could possibly unlock the potential he could not in Orlando with so many similar pieces around him.
The Magic made the postseason last year as a 7-seed and are currently in the 8-seed this season with no legitimate chances to contend anytime soon. For Gordon and the Magic, it appears that splitting up is the best option for both sides as Orlando could get some value for the young forward, while he gets a fresh start elsewhere.