Boston's Big Swing: Gordon on the Radar
Look, the ink's barely dry on the Celtics' 18th banner, but front offices don't sleep. The whispers out of Brighton Landing are getting louder: Boston is quietly positioning itself for a significant move in the 2025-26 offseason, and the name floating around is none other than Aaron Gordon. Yes, that Aaron Gordon. The guy who's been the perfect complementary piece to Nikola Jokic's brilliance in Denver.
Here's the thing: Gordon is under contract with the Nuggets through the 2026-27 season, with a player option for that final year. He's due $22.8 million in 2024-25, $21.5 million in 2025-26, and $23.2 million (player option) in 2026-27. That's a hefty, but not prohibitive, number for a player of his caliber and defensive versatility. Boston, with Jayson Tatum's supermax extension kicking in and Jaylen Brown's already active, will be navigating the second apron for the foreseeable future. Every dollar matters.
Real talk: Acquiring Gordon won't be cheap, both in terms of assets and salary. The Celtics would likely need to offload a significant contract or two to make the money work without completely gutting their depth. Think Al Horford's expiring deal, if he's still around, plus a younger prospect like Jordan Walsh or a future first-round pick. Denver isn't just giving away a key starter for peanuts, even if they're looking to retool around Jokic as he enters his mid-30s. The Nuggets are a smart organization; they'll demand value.
Tactical Upgrade: The Defensive Juggernaut
From a tactical standpoint, Gordon in Boston is almost too perfect. Imagine a lineup with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Aaron Gordon. That's five legitimate, switchable defenders. Gordon's ability to guard 1 through 5, his strength against bigger forwards, and his athleticism in transition would elevate an already elite defensive unit to suffocating levels. He averaged 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals per game in the 2023-24 season, showcasing his disruptive potential.
Offensively, Gordon has become incredibly efficient in Denver, largely due to Jokic's playmaking. He shot 55.5% from the field in 2023-24, primarily thriving on cuts, put-backs, and opportunistic drives. He's not a primary scorer, averaging 13.9 points per game last season, but he doesn't need to be in Boston. He'd be the ultimate glue guy, setting screens, rolling hard, and making the extra pass. His 3-point shooting isn't a strength (30.9% on 2.6 attempts in 2023-24), but the Celtics have enough perimeter firepower to cover that.
One interesting comparison could be the Jrue Holiday trade itself. Boston sent Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and two first-round picks to Portland, who then flipped those assets. Gordon isn't quite the two-way star Holiday is, but his defensive impact and offensive efficiency in a complementary role are arguably more valuable than what Williams or Brogdon offered at the time. The Celtics proved they're willing to pay a premium for a perfect fit, and Gordon fits that mold.
Denver's Dilemma and OKC's Role
So, why would Denver consider moving Gordon? Age and financial flexibility. Jokic is still in his prime, but the team around him needs to be constantly refreshed. Jamal Murray's injury history and Michael Porter Jr.'s massive contract ($35.8 million in 2025-26) mean the Nuggets need to be smart about their spending. Moving Gordon, even for slightly lesser talent and draft capital, could open up space to target a younger, cheaper wing or another playmaking guard.
This is where the Oklahoma City Thunder could become a third-team help. OKC has a treasure trove of draft picks and young talent. They might be interested in a player like Payton Pritchard from Boston, or perhaps a future first-round pick from either team if it helps them consolidate assets or take on a short-term salary dump. Imagine OKC sending a future protected first to Denver, who then sends Gordon to Boston in exchange for a package centered around a veteran and a different pick. It's complex, but these multi-team deals are common for high-value players.
For Denver, losing Gordon would mean a significant hit to their defense and a void in their starting lineup. However, it might be a necessary step to rebalance their roster and extend their championship window. They'd need to find a way to replace his defensive versatility, perhaps through internal development or by targeting a free agent with the newly created cap space.
My hot take? Aaron Gordon makes the Celtics' defense historically good. They'd be a nightmare for any offense, and with Tatum and Brown still ascending, I think Boston could win multiple championships with that core. I'm not sure if Denver would want to pull the trigger on a deal that would make their biggest rival even stronger, but sometimes you have to make tough choices for your own future.
Ultimately, this isn't a done deal, but the smoke around Gordon and Boston is real. If the Celtics manage to pull this off, the rest of the league will be on notice. I'm predicting that by the start of the 2025-26 season, Aaron Gordon will be wearing green and white.