Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Aaron Gordon

Orlando Magic Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie, G Tyler Johnson, F Nicolas Claxton, PHX 2021 2nd Round Pick (via BRK), IND 2021 2nd Round Pick (via BRK)

James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are all under contract through the 2022-23 NBA season, assuming they all opt into their player options for that year, and as a result, Brooklyn is going to be building their team year-by-year, handing out one-year contracts to veteran players and key contributors who will fit right in. 

Aaron Gordon is under contract through the 2021-22 season, lining his contract up with the Nets’ “Big 3” contracts up to their player options. Trading for him would not be easy financially, but would definitely give the Brooklyn Nets an even better shot at lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season. 

There was a lot of hype surrounding Aaron Gordon when he first entered the NBA as the 4th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Magic and while he struggled early on in his career, Gordon has really turned himself into a solid third or fourth scoring option. His outside shot is finally starting to improve and he has improved as a defender, but it does not seem like he is a guy the Magic feels comfortable investing a lot of money into for the future of the organization.

For Brooklyn, Spencer Dinwiddie is great, but his injury this year may have sealed his fate in Brooklyn. Trading him for an established fourth/fifth reliable scoring option ensures the Nets the best chance of winning a title now, which is their ultimate goal. Guys like Tyler Johnson and Nic Claxton are just end-of-the-bench players and do not hold much value to this team unless numerous guys go down with injuries. 

With all of this being said, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the Nets and the Magic.