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5 recently traded players that are exceeding expectations

By Orestis Rantis

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards in the first half of a game at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards in the first half of a game at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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NBA Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images /

Pleasant surprise No. 2: Aaron Gordon

Let’s take a quick breather here and examine a pretty different situation here. One of the biggest deals of the trade deadline was Aaron Gordon‘s move to the Denver Nuggets, enhancing their chances at having yet another deep playoff run this year.

Since his move to Colorado, Gordon has seen a drop in his numerical averages. However, there isn’t a single shadow of a doubt that he has been amongst those that have exceeded their initial expectations, as of today.

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Being stuck on the forever-rebuilding Orlando Magic for the first six years of his career, people got to the point where they started writing his name off, as he failed to make the so-called “leap” as the years went by.

Sure, Nikola Vucevic’s late blooming didn’t help and neither did the very questionable front office decisions and free agency signings. The bottom line, however, is that Gordon became nothing more than a dunker and a solid starter on a borderline-playoff team.

Luckily for him, as well as his fans, he has elevated the Denver Nuggets since the moment he stepped into the training facility. Is it entirely thanks to him? Obviously not, but the evidence is definitely there.

Being 7-1 since Gordon’s arrival, the Nuggets have once again put their name near the top of the Western Conference standings, even surpassing the injury-plagued Los Angeles Lakers. At this point who knows what the final standings will look like?

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