The Denver Nuggets are facing a pivotal offseason after falling short of expectations, and one of their key contributors could be on the move. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, forward Aaron Gordon—a vital piece of Denver's 2023 championship run—might be a trade candidate this summer. And the Los Angeles Lakers are being floated as a natural landing spot.
Gordon has been a Swiss Army knife for the Nuggets since joining the team, providing versatile scoring, lockdown defense, reliable rebounding, and timely three-point shooting. At 6-foot-8, he's exactly the type of two-way forward every contender covets. But after Denver failed to reach the Western Conference finals for the second straight year and suffered a first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, change may be coming.
"Should the Nuggets actually pull the pin on Gordon, many teams in both conferences will begin bidding for his services," Siegel wrote. "Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics are among the many win-now teams Gordon would obviously fit in with as realistic trade suitors."
The Lakers, in particular, make sense. Los Angeles has long been searching for athleticism, perimeter defense, and consistent three-point shooting on the wing—areas where Gordon excels when healthy. This season, despite playing only 36 regular-season games due to injuries, Gordon averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and an impressive 38.9% from beyond the arc. His ability to guard multiple positions and crash the glass would be a major upgrade for a Lakers squad that often struggled with size and physicality on the perimeter.
Of course, there are concerns. Gordon missed the final three games of Denver's first-round playoff series with a calf injury, and durability has been an issue throughout his career. But for a Lakers team looking to maximize the remaining prime years of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the risk might be worth the reward.
The biggest hurdle? Gordon's contract. He's owed $33.66 million next season, and his salary escalates to $39 million by the 2028-29 season (though he holds a player option for that final year). That's a hefty price tag for any team, but for a win-now franchise like the Lakers, the fit is undeniable.
As the NBA offseason heats up, Gordon's name is one to watch—and if the Nuggets decide to shake things up, don't be surprised if he ends up in purple and gold.