The Golden State Warriors have a type. They love players who can shoot. They love players who can move without the ball. They love players who fit into Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
And right now, they have a glaring need for a versatile forward who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and play off Stephen Curry.
Enter Aaron Gordon.
According to USA Today’s Marcus D. Smith, the Denver Nuggets have made Gordon available in trade talks. He’s being shopped. The Warriors haven’t been linked to him yet — but they should be.
Gordon shot 38.9% from three this season. That’s not a typo. A career 33% shooter from deep just shot nearly 39% on the year. He’s evolving. He’s becoming exactly the kind of player the Warriors need.
There’s just one problem: he missed 46 games.
Gordon’s 2025-26 campaign was a nightmare from a health perspective. He was riddled with injuries. He couldn’t stay on the court. The Nuggets are clearly frustrated.
Aaron Gordon
But here’s the thing: when Gordon is healthy, he’s a perfect fit for Golden State. And the Warriors have a history of taking chances on players with injury concerns.
Let me break down why the Warriors should pursue Aaron Gordon, what the risks are, and why this gamble could pay off in a big way.
The Gordon Evolution: From Dunker to Shooter
Let me start with the player Gordon has become.
When Aaron Gordon entered the NBA, he was known for one thing: dunking. He was a high-flyer. He was an athlete. He was not a shooter.
That player no longer exists.
Gordon has transformed his game. He’s worked on his shot. He’s become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. This season, he shot 38.9% from three — a career high by a wide margin.
For context, Stephen Curry shot 39.3% from three this season. Gordon was almost as accurate as the greatest shooter of all time.
That’s not a fluke. Gordon has put in the work. He’s now a player who can space the floor, attack closeouts, and make defenses pay for leaving him open.
The Fit: Why Gordon Is Perfect for Golden State
Let me talk about the basketball fit.
The Warriors’ offense is built on movement, spacing, and three-point shooting. They need wings who can shoot, defend, and play off the ball.
Aaron Gordon checks every box.
Shooting: 38.9% from three. That’s elite for a forward. Defenses have to respect him.
Defense: Gordon can guard multiple positions. He’s big enough to handle power forwards. He’s quick enough to stay with wings. He could be the versatile defender the Warriors have been missing since Andre Iguodala’s prime.
Athleticism: Gordon is still an explosive athlete. He can finish above the rim. He can run the floor. He’s a threat in transition.
Basketball IQ: Gordon has played in a sophisticated Denver offense. He understands movement, spacing, and timing. He won’t need a long adjustment period.
Playmaking: Gordon is an underrated passer. He can make the extra pass. He can find open shooters. He’s not a black hole.
Put Gordon next to Curry, and you have a player who can thrive in Golden State’s system.
The Health Concerns: 46 Missed Games
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Gordon missed 46 games this season. That’s more than half the season. He was injured constantly. He couldn’t stay on the court.
The Nuggets are shopping him for a reason. They’re tired of the uncertainty. They want players who can be relied upon.
The Warriors would be taking a significant risk by trading for Gordon. They’d be betting that his injury issues are behind him — or at least manageable.
But here’s the thing: the Warriors have experience with injury-prone players. Stephen Curry has missed significant time. Klay Thompson missed two full seasons. The organization knows how to manage minutes, load management, and recovery.
If any team can get the best out of Gordon while keeping him healthy, it’s Golden State.
The Comparison: Otto Porter Jr. 2.0?
Let me make a comparison.
In 2021-22, the Warriors signed Otto Porter Jr. — a former lottery pick who had been plagued by injuries. He was a gamble. He was a risk.
Porter stayed healthy. He shot 37% from three. He was a key rotation player on a championship team.
Aaron Gordon could be the same story. A talented forward who needs a change of scenery. A player who can contribute immediately if he stays on the court.
The Warriors have done this before. They can do it again.
The Cost: What Would the Warriors Have to Give Up?
Let me get into the hypotheticals.
Gordon is not a superstar. He’s not going to cost four first-round picks. But he’s also not free.
The Nuggets will want something in return. Possible trade packages could include:
Moses Moody (young wing with potential)
Gary Payton II (expiring contract)
Future second-round picks
Salary filler
The Warriors would also have to match Gordon’s salary, which is roughly $20-25 million per year. That could mean including Andrew Wiggins (if he’s still on the roster) or a combination of smaller contracts.
The price is not exorbitant. The Warriors can afford it.
The Risk vs. Reward: Is It Worth It?
Let me weigh the scales.
The reward: A 6-foot-8 forward who shoots 39% from three, defends multiple positions, and fits perfectly into the Warriors’ system. A player who, if healthy, could be the missing piece for one final playoff run with Stephen Curry.
The risk: A player who missed 46 games last season. A player whose body might not hold up. A player who could be injured during the playoffs — when the Warriors need him most.
Is it worth it? I think yes.
The Warriors are not a young team. They’re not building for the future. They’re trying to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s prime.
They need to take risks. They need to swing for the fences. And Aaron Gordon is a swing worth taking.
The Nuggets’ Perspective: Why They’re Moving On
Let me look at the other side.
The Nuggets are shopping Gordon because they’re frustrated. They have Nikola Jokic in his prime. They have Jamal Murray. They have Michael Porter Jr. They need players who can stay on the court.
Gordon hasn’t done that.
Denver wants to get younger and healthier. They want to add players who can be relied upon. Trading Gordon is the first step.
The Nuggets aren’t giving Gordon away. But they’re listening to offers. And the Warriors should be one of the teams calling.
The Warriors’ Offseason Needs: Shooting and Versatility
Let me remind you what the Warriors are looking for.
The Warriors need shooting. They ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts last season. They need players who can space the floor for Curry.
The Warriors need versatility. They need wings who can guard multiple positions. They need athletes who can run the floor.
Aaron Gordon provides both. He’s a shooter. He’s a versatile defender. He’s an athlete.
He’s exactly what the Warriors need.
Final Verdict: Make the Call
Here’s my honest take.
The Golden State Warriors should pursue Aaron Gordon. Not because he’s a sure thing — he’s not. Not because he’s healthy — he hasn’t been.
Because he’s a perfect fit. Because the cost will be reasonable. Because the Warriors have a track record of rehabilitating injury-prone players.
Gordon shot 38.9% from three last season. That’s not an accident. That’s skill. That’s work.
If the Warriors can get him and keep him healthy, he could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep playoff run.
The risk is real. But the reward is enormous.
One thing’s certain: The Warriors need to add shooting and versatility this offseason. Aaron Gordon provides both. It’s time to make the call.