4 trades to send Aaron Gordon to the Rockets

Houston Rockets trade package #1.

In this trade the Orlando Magic acquire a bevy of draft capital for Aaron Gordon, as they would bring in two second-round draft picks from the Denver Nuggets, in addition to a first-round pick from the Houston Rockets, which was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden trade. Orlando also receives a young promising player in RJ Hampton, who could help them with their rebuild.

Speaking of the Denver Nuggets, they’ve had a regression after reaching the Western Conference Finals and upsetting the LA Clippers in the 2020 postseason. Denver has gone 23-16, with a winning percentage of 58.9 percent, compared to 63 percent just a year ago.

In spite of Nikola Jokic‘s Herculean effort, with averages of 27.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 56.2 percent from the field along with 41.4 percent from three (joining Christian Wood as the only player to post averages of 20 and 10, while shooting 55 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three) the Nuggets currently sit fifth in the West in 2020-21, after finishing third last season.

Acquiring Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker would immensely improve Denver’s chances of contending this season, as they’d get two stellar wing defenders, which is much needed, as the Nuggets rank just 15th in defensive rating. In addition, Tucker’s corner 3-point shooting would be a perfect fit alongside Jokic, who could feed him open looks.

Denver would also inherit a 20-point scorer in Oladipo who can provide more perimeter offense, and for a first-round pick this year, two second-round draft picks, Bol Bol, Gary Harris (who they want to get rid of), and RJ Hampton. This trade would also allow Denver to hold on to Michael Porter Jr, who is their third-leading scorer behind only Jokic and Jamal Murray.

The Rockets would give up Oladipo, Tucker and a first-round pick next season, to land an intriguing young prospect in Bol Bol, while also acquiring Gordon and a first-round pick in this year’s draft.