NBA Rumors: Should the Pacers target Aaron Gordon in free agency?
NBA Rumors: The Indiana Pacers are one team that could target restricted free agent Aaron Gordon this summer, but would it be a smart play?
The Indiana Pacers are one of the few teams that are expected to have substantial salary cap space when NBA free agency opens July 1. And one interesting name that they could reportedly target with that space is Aaron Gordon.
Gordon is a restricted free agent, and the Orlando Magic will have the option to match any offer he signs – or gets – on the open market.
Question is, should the Pacers take a big chance and offer him the big money that he’s seeking on the open market, potentially the big money that the Magic may not be willing to pay him?
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On the surface, it’s a strong yes. Despite a rough start to his NBA career, Gordon is coming off a season in which he averaged career highs in points (17.6), rebounds (7.9) and 3-point percentage (34%). He also averaged a career high in minutes and shot attempts, which suggests he was one of the main components of the Magic offense and team this past season.
At 6-foot-9, Gordon is the prototypical small forward/power forward in today’s game. He can play both positions, especially now that he’s extending his range to the 3-point line.
He’s athletic as they come – and probably should’ve won the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest a few years ago – and is one of the most versatile players on the open market this summer. He’s also only 22 years old, and has only begun to scratch the surface of the player he can ultimately develop into once his career is over.
The Pacers, who are coming off a surprising season, have a young core of Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis – three really talented players. Adding Gordon to that core could make this team particularly interesting next season, and one of the most talented young cores in all the NBA.
What it could really come down to is price. What is it going to cost the Pacers in order to sign Gordon? The Magic could sign Gordon to a five-year, $148 million contract. That’s his max deal with Orlando, likely the one he’s seeking.
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Even though it may prove to be costly, perhaps Gordon is just the wing piece that the Indiana Pacers are missing.