NBA Rumors: Suns, Pacers and Mavs to target Aaron Gordon in free agency?
NBA Rumors: The Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks are expected to target Aaron Gordon in free agency this summer
The 2018 NBA free agency class is extremely top heavy, and there’s a really good chance that none of the top free agents will switch jerseys this summer.
Kevin Durant, who has a player option, isn’t going anywhere; LeBron James might but there’s no telling as of right now – and I wouldn’t bet on him leaving the Cavs. I would be shocked if Chris Paul didn’t give this Rockets experiment at least one more year, and DeMarcus Cousins won’t leave New Orleans if they offer him the max. Based on the recent comments that Anthony Davis has made public, I’d be shocked if the Pelicans don’t do everything in their power to re-sign Boogie.
The only big name free agent that could be on the move is Paul George, but even the smart money is on him re-signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although, his continued flirtation with the city of Los Angeles would make me nervous.
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Because of the potential lack of movement from the big names, there’s the potential of some real recruitment and wining an dining for the smaller name free agents. One of those “smaller” names that is expected to garner substantial interest from a multiple of teams is Aaron Gordon.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks could be all-in on the pursuit of Gordon this summer.
"[via Sporting News]League sources told Sporting News this week that the Suns are expected to be suitors for Gordon, who starred at Arizona for one memorable season.…Another team with interest in Gordon, according to sources, would be the rebuilding Mavericks, who have been eager to find a budding star to fill in alongside Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr., softening the blow of Dirk Nowitzki’s retirement, which could come in just months.…The Pacers intend to investigate restricted free agents, too, hoping to add young talent to an improving roster."
Over the first few years of his career, Gordon has been one of the most interesting – and equally frustrating – players to follow. He entered the league as an a tweener. He didn’t posses enough capability to play the small forward position full-time, and was too small to play power forward – it should be noted that this was all before the NBA’s quick transformation to a small ball league.
Now, though, Gordon is exactly what you want in a power forward. He’s athletic enough to create mismatches on bigger 4’s, while also showcasing a much improved 3-point shot this season. He could even play some 3, in the right lineups.
In the mist of the best season of his career, Gordon is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.
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Aaron Gordon, even with the uneven start to his career, is going to garner a ton of interest in the restricted free agent market. Although, it should be mentioned, that the Orlando Magic will be offered the chance to match any offer he signs on the open market.
And it’d be quite shocking to see them not match any offer for Gordon, who is barely beginning to scratch the surface on his potential.