Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets made one of the bigger trades at last season’s NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic. It was a solid move to upgrade the forward spot, but Gordon makes for an awkward fit.
Gordon is best suited to be playing power forward, but that is also where Michael Porter Jr. does his best work. The Nuggets playing one at small forward along with Nikola Jokic at center makes things a little clunky despite the ability for Porter and Jokic to play on the perimeter.
If the Nuggets, who may fall back a little this season with Jamal Murray sidelined by a knee injury, doesn’t think Gordon is a fit any longer, they could try and flip him to the Sacramento Kings in a deal for Buddy Hield.
A package of Gordon and P.J. Dozier works under the salary cap rules if the Nuggets is looking to shake things up. Moving Gordon would allow Porter to play power forward full-time and balance out the roster a bit.
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Gordon is also on an expiring deal, so if the Nuggets have no plans on retaining him long-term, trading him for a piece in Hield that is under contract through 2024 makes some sense.
Hield could step into the starting shooting guard role with Will Barton at small forward and Monte Morris at point guard. His spacing would open the offense up a lot for the current lineup and for when Murray can get back on the court.
