Aaron Gordon had been one of the biggest names available in trade talks over the last few weeks leading up to the NBA trade deadline and after dealing Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls, the Orlando Magic decided to deal Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets, thus adding onto their rebuild. 

First reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and later confirmed by NBA Analysis Network, the Orlando Magic agreed to trade Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton and a future first-round pick with some unspecified protections on it. 

Gordon, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, had requested a trade from the Magic earlier in the week amidst all of the trade rumors that Orlando has been looking to deal him. The Celtics, Timberwolves, Rockets and Trail Blazers were all interested in Gordon, but it was the Nuggets who were the ones that were able to get the deal done. 

After losing Jerami Grant in the offseason to the Detroit Pistons, the Denver Nuggets had been searching for ways to replace Grant’s production, especially since he played both the small-forward and power-forward positions on the court. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Denver Nuggets finalize trade with Orlando Magic for Aaron Gordon

Michael Porter Jr. has been a fantastic young player for the Nuggets and has been a great offensive player for them, but after making the Western Conference Finals last season, Denver felt they were one piece away from being true championship contenders. 

With their championship window very small in a loaded Western Conference, the Nuggets decided to make the most of their opportunities at the NBA trade deadline this year by acquiring Aaron Gordon and also veteran big man JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Denver has gone “all-in” on trying to make the most of their championship window this season and with Nikola Jokic having a MVP-like season, they definitely have a chance to make it back to the Western Conference Finals for a chance to make the NBA Finals for the first time since 1976. 

The Nuggets have made a statement by going out and getting Gordon and now, they will look to prove that they are one of the better teams in the Western Conference. With that said, let’s break down this trade for both teams and take a look at how this move should shape both team’s futures.