Aaron Gordon to Boston Trade Rumors Accelerating
Brian Fluharty | USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics find their way into trade rumors every year around this time. However, this year there may be a little bit more truth to the rumor. Forward Aaron Gordon recently requested a trade from the Magic, and Boston is a top suitor.
It has emerged that Danny Ainge has been targeting Gordon for years now. The Celtics tried to make a deal for him in both 2019 and 2020, but Orlando was unwilling to move him. Well, with their lack of success this season, things have changed. Gordon is now forcing his way out of Orlando.
Boston is one of a few teams listed as “interested” in Gordon. Others include the Trailblazers, Rockets, Warriors, and Timberwolves. The Rockets offered multiple first-round picks, but Gordon has stated he wished to go to a contending team.
There are sources saying Boston has also offered multiple firsts. Some have said they offered a deal centered around Marcus Smart that would see Evan Fournier moving to Boston, too. Fournier has also been available in trade talks.
Gordon makes $18.1 million this year and is on the books for $16.4 million next year. Fournier, on the other hand, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Sources have said that Gordon is not the only player Boston is looking to trade for at the deadline, either. It is said that if he were, “the deal would be done by now.” Other notable players that have been listed as available are Malcolm Brogdon, Lonzo Ball, and most of the Rockets roster.
Gordon is averaging 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this year on roughly 42-40-62 shooting splits. The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday, March 25th.
