Orlando Magic: NBA trade deadline winners and losers
By Luke Duffy
Orland Magic NBA trade deadline winner: Aaron Gordon
Few players in recent memory have benefitted from a deadline day move quite like Gordon. For seven years with the Magic, the thinking was that if he played anywhere else, that his skillset would be highlighted far more favorably. On some nights the fit was there, but more often than not, it just didn’t quite work for whatever reason.
Not only did Gordon get to move to a Nuggets team with designs on making the finals, but it was also the best landing spot for him in the whole league. That organization needed to fill the hole left by Jerami Grant after his offseason move to the Detroit Pistons, and in Gordon they got just that. An elite defender that most didn’t realize was actually elite until he got to Denver.
It was thought that Gordon could be the face of the Magic there for a minute, but that was never his destiny. In fact, he played some of his best basketball once Vucevic ascended to that role, and he could play as a third option offensively and the top option defensively. This is what Gordon is doing with the Nuggets, but he’s got more help than he could have ever imagined.
Nikola Jokic might just win the MVP award this season. Jamal Murray turns into a flamethrower come the postseason. Michael Porter Jr. is the kind of modern big man that Gordon thrives next to. In short there is not nearly as much required from him, especially offensively, so he can fill in the gaps and look fantastic doing it. As such the Nuggets are rolling right now.
The only downside for Gordon was how he alienated Magic fans on his way out the door. Not that Gordon will care. He also needs to let the dunk contest setbacks go. But he is part of a contender that is here to stay and has not even hit his prime yet. He is getting more national exposure already than ever before too. A massive win for Gordon.