The Denver Nuggets have made two moves right before the NBA trade deadline, according to ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The Nuggets and Orlando Magic have agreed on a trade sending former first-round pick Aaron Gordon to the Denver.
In return, Orlando will be receiving shooting guard Gary Harris, 2020 first-round pick R.J. Hampton, and a protected 2025 first-round pick.
Gordon had told the Magic that he requested a trade after he became frustrated with the organization for a number of reasons. Orlando has gone 203-332 since Gordon was drafted back in 2014.
This season, the former NBA Slam Dunk Champion is averaging 14.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
This move for the Nuggets comes after they were unable to bring back Jerami Grant in the offseason. Grant was traded to Denver in 2019 right before the deadline and brought length on defense to guard your typical small forwards in the Western Conference. Grant was also successful from three-point range with Denver shooting nearly 39%.
Gordon has become one of the better wing defenders in the game and will now help Denver by guarding the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, or even Luka Doncic. Gordon isn’t the most reliable three-point shooter, but has improved from last season to this season by shooting nearly 8% better.
Orlando is also trading forward Gary Clark to Denver. Clark is averaging 3.4 points per game this season.
For the Magic, they’ll be getting a solid shooting guard and defensive spark in Harris. Harris was a key factor defensively for the Nuggets last season in the playoff bubble. This season, Harris has only played in 19 games due to multiple injuries. Harris’ contract will expire after the 2022 season after he signed a 4-year $84 million extension with Denver.
Rookie R.J. Hampton will be on his way to his second team during his rookie season. Hampton has a lot of upside and provides explosiveness in the fast break with his athleticism. Hampton is most known for going from high school to playing professionally overseas instead of college ball. Hampton said he wanted to live like a pro rather than juggle books and basketball.
Hampton was drafted in the first-round of the 2020 NBA Draft, but then traded to the Nuggets in a four-team deal.
The other move that the Nuggets made earlier the same day was trading for Cleveland center JaVale McGee. The Cavs will receive power forward Isaiah Hartenstein along with a 2023 protected 2nd-round pick and a 2027 unprotected 2nd-round pick.
This will be McGee’s second stint with the Nuggets after he spent four seasons with Denver earlier in his career. Since McGee left Denver he’s gone on and won three championships within the last four years. The athletic center won back-to-back with Golden State and then last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
With the departure of center Mason Plumlee, Denver has been in need of a athletic center that can make plays on the defensive side of the ball to help MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets have been quiet at the trade deadline in recent years under president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. Denver hasn’t made that “big splash” trade that they’ve always been rumored to (and favored to) make until now.
It’s safe to say the Nuggets believe they are legit NBA Finals contenders and are looking to make that leap of faith this season.
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