NUGGETS TRADE TO GET HELP: GORDON, MCGEE
Nuggets make two trades to bring in Magic forward Gordon, Cavs post McGee in deadline frenzy
Denver's landmark deals on Thursday signaled one thing above all else: The Nuggets' future is now.
It was evident in their first trade — a swap that sent Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round picks to Cleveland for center JaVale McGee — and it was even more apparent when the Nuggets landed the big fish: 6foot-9 forward Aaron Gordon from Orlando.
Acquiring McGee, who’s on an expiring deal, was proof the Nuggets sought an immediate frontcourt improvement for their impending postseason run instead of waiting patiently for Hartenstein, 22, to develop.
Specifically, Nuggets coach Michael Malone sought more veteran experience in the post, according to a league source. McGee’s vast playoff experience, in addition to his ability to protect the rim, were huge selling points.
It was hardly lost on the Nuggets that they were among the worst teams in the league in terms of deterring opponents around the basket.
Should the Lakers fortify their frontcourt in the buyout market with a player such as Andre Drummond, the Nuggets are far better equipped to deal with Los
Angeles’ size with McGee than they would be with Hartenstein, who averaged more fouls than several rotation players.
But the return of McGee to Denver was just the appetizer.
For more than a week, there had been speculation and reported interest linking Gordon to the Nuggets.
One, he fit an obvious need. Ever since Jerami Grant left, the Nuggets had considered how they would replace the defensive versatility he provided. Two, his trade request made him a natural target and gave interested teams leverage in any negotiations with Orlando.
Three, Gordon, at 25, fit the Nuggets’ timeline. With one more year on his deal, the Nuggets will get at least two postseason runs to evaluate how well Gordon fits alongside Denver’s established core. And lastly, because Gordon had been somewhat inconsistent, in addition to battling various injuries, throughout his seven years, Orlando’s asking price wasn’t outlandish.
Internally there was also the belief that with a more structured system — and better talent around him — Gordon could outperform what he did in Orlando, league sources said.
The Nuggets had to part with Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Gordon and Magic wing Gary Clark, league sources said. Hampton, according to a source, was the key to a deal for the Magic.
Although the Nuggets believe Hampton has exceptional potential, that was the cost for acquiring Gordon, who was among the biggest names to switch teams before Thursday’s deadline.
But what mattered more than need, or more than availability, was fit. The Nuggets did significant background research on Gordon to determine whether he would be a match on the court and in the locker room, sources said.
The conclusion was both accounts.
The hyper-athletic Gordon should be a natural fit defensively, where he likely will be tasked with guarding opponents’ best wings. The Nuggets knew they needed to improve in anticipation of playoff matchups against the likes of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, league sources said.
Even Wednesday’s “embarrassing” loss to the Raptors showcased how difficult it was for the Nuggets to stop guys like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
While traditional forwards JaMychal Green and Paul Millsap can slot up to guard fives, neither is mobile enough to handle quicker wings.
Now, Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. can serve as interchangeable parts defensively, depending yes, on on the matchup.
The other Gordon ramification, assuming he starts when he and the Nuggets’ other additions arrive in Denver on Saturday, is that Will Barton likely will become the team’s starting shooting guard.
Barton has the capability to guard up a position but was always undersized when matched up against opposing small forwards. Defensively, the Gordon addition should shift the Nuggets into a more optimal position. And as high as Gordon can leap, the Nuggets targeted him because of their desired defensive improvements.
Offensively it’s tantalizing to think what the Nuggets, already the fifth-best offense in the NBA, will do upon adding Gordon. In Orlando, he was the second or third offensive option. In Denver, he likely will be the fourth or fifth option. But that doesn’t mean he won’t benefit.
After Tuesday’s game against Denver, a league source with knowledge of Gordon’s thinking
said he was impressed with the Nuggets’ ball movement and spacing and recognized how he would fit playing in a system with Nikola Jokic. Not only is Gordon going to draw opponents’ secondor third-best perimeter defender, but he’s going to benefit immensely from Jokic’s vision. If Gordon commits to moving without the ball, he’s going to find an unselfish distributor at the heart of Denver’s offense.
In other words, the dunks will be plentiful.
While the move was costly, the Nuggets put themselves in position to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference. And while minutes and rotations undoubtedly will be tricky, especially in the second unit, the Nuggets are significantly more dangerous than they were to start the day. Because of that, it’s impossible to say deadline day wasn’t a win.