The Denver Nuggets have already committed to bringing back David Adelman as head coach following a first-round playoff exit. Now, the franchise appears poised to entertain the unthinkable: trading Aaron Gordon, the heart of the team and statistically the second-most impactful player behind Nikola Jokic.
According to reporting from Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel, Gordon has emerged as a name to watch on the trade market this offseason. The possibility is being discussed internally, even as the Nuggets acknowledge it would require an exceptional return to pull the trigger.
Gordon’s value to Denver cannot be overstated. In his six seasons with the Nuggets, he has evolved into a versatile force — a defensive disruptor, elite finisher, increasingly reliable shooter, and connective playmaker. His on-court impact tells the story: when Gordon played this season, Denver outscored opponents by an impressive 13.8 points per 100 possessions. Without him, that margin plummeted to just +3.1. That level of two-way importance earned him a four-year, $133 million extension in 2024. The deal remains team-friendly in the short term, as Gordon opted into his $23 million player option for the 2025-26 season, pushing the new money out until 2026-27.
Yet despite this loyalty and production, questions swirl. Gordon appeared in only 36 games this season due to hamstring and calf injuries. Over the past two years, he has played in less than half of the Nuggets’ regular-season contests. He even missed the final two games of Denver’s first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, continuing a pattern of availability concerns that followed a strong but ultimately injury-shortened 2025 postseason.
Siegel reports that while trading Gordon is not viewed as a simple salary dump, the Nuggets would only consider moving him if they could reclaim key draft capital lost in prior deals and acquire another impactful starter in return. That is a steep price tag — one that reflects Gordon’s true worth while acknowledging the difficult roster mathematics Denver faces.
The Trade Calculus in Denver
The Nuggets’ motivation appears rooted in financial discipline and roster flexibility. With restricted free agent Peyton Watson in the mix, ownership is reportedly reluctant to spend further into the luxury tax. The team can realistically retain only three of four key pieces — Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, and Watson. Watson’s elite athleticism aligns with Denver’s desire to add more explosiveness around Jokic, making him a priority to keep.
Gordon is considered the least likely of that group to be moved — and clearly the best player among them — but NBA trades require mutual interest. Denver’s limited trade assets (mostly down to final first-round pick swaps, second-rounders, and this year’s own first-round selection) further complicate matters. Recouping draft capital while upgrading elsewhere would be an ideal but challenging outcome in a single transaction.
A Star-Studded List of Suitors
The list of realistic trade partners adds to the drama. Siegel highlights several win-now contenders who would view Gordon as a perfect fit, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics. Each of those teams could use Gordon’s two-way versatility, championship experience, and ability to elevate a contending roster.
For Denver fans, the mere discussion feels jarring. Gordon has become “Mr. Nugget” — a player cheered as loudly as Jokic or Jamal Murray, beloved for his grit, reinvention, and connection to the city. Moving him would represent a significant shift in identity and likely lower the team’s ceiling in the immediate term, even if it addresses longer-term roster construction goals.
The Nuggets have no obligation to trade Gordon. They are floating the idea while insisting a massive offer would be required. Still, the fact that the conversation is happening at all just days after another postseason disappointment signals a franchise at a crossroads — one willing to consider difficult decisions in pursuit of sustained contention.