The Denver Nuggets are reportedly open to trading forward Aaron Gordon as the team navigates significant salary cap constraints. The Los Angeles Lakers are monitoring the situation, potentially looking to add the veteran to their roster alongside Luka Doncic.
The Nuggets are not actively shopping Gordon, but are listening to offers for the versatile forward. According to a report from The Athletic, “He has a two-way skill set that is coveted and rare around the league, but league sources say the Nuggets are listening to offers for the 30-year-old who has missed significant time the past two seasons with injuries.” His fit could appeal to the Lakers, who are building a title contender around Doncic.
The primary motivation for Denver is financial flexibility as the team approaches the second luxury tax apron. “But there is a fascinating financial factor to consider, too, as Denver wants to re-sign restricted free agent forward Peyton Watson and has been widely expected to shed salary in order to make that move more feasible,” the report stated. Moving Gordon’s $133 million contract would create the necessary room.
Despite the logic behind a deal, Denver is not in a rush. “To this point, however, league sources say that while there are a lot of teams interested in acquiring Gordon, that interest remains underwhelming to the Nuggets when compared to how they value him,” The Athletic added. The situation is further complicated by a lack of a direct order to cut payroll from team ownership. “Denver also wants to re-sign 25-year-old small forward . However, team sources say that there has been no mandate from Nuggets ownership to cut costs. As such, it remains to be seen how aggressively — or perhaps delicately — the Nuggets move forward.”
