The Golden State Warriors are planning to be aggressive ahead of the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline. The deadline is set for March 25 which gives the team just a few days to enhance their roster. The Warriors have notable holes on their current roster.
February showed us just how unstable the team is if one or both of their big men go down. They basically played the entire month without a true center on the court and really only have one center on the roster.
On top of that, they may look to strengthen their playmaking. Jordan Poole has had a dominant recent stretch, but they’ll need more players that have proven they can be big-time assets when it matters most.
The Warriors have had talks with the Orlando Magic for small forward Aaron Gordon. Trading for Gordon would likely require Andrew Wiggins to be dealt.
Aaron Gordon may be that guy.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Warriors have been in talks for Gordon
"“The Rockets, Warriors, Celtics, Timberwolves, and Trail Blazers have all had talks with the Magic for Gordon, league sources say…..Golden State could use Gordon in Draymond’s actual role. Minnesota could utilize him similarly when D’Angelo Russell returns and as Anthony Edwards develops. Gordon has the versatility to fit in the frontcourt next to Karl-Anthony Towns or Christian Wood in Houston,” O’Connor wrote."
The Warriors could use Gordon in Draymond Green‘s role is an interesting thought. Gordon, a former top-five pick, is averaging a career-high 4.1 assists. While his scoring hasn’t been there, he is still at 14.8 points per game.
Gordon is a solid scorer, passer and defender. Along with that, he’s efficient, shooting over 45 percent from the field. On top of that, he’s averaging a career-high 41.1 percent from deep. Combine those two and his playmaking, and it’s obvious he’d be a smart addition.
That said, we’ve mentioned Gordon multiple times as a potential target, and given how the Magic are leaning with their young talent, it would make sense.
With players like point guard Markelle Fultz and small forward Jonathan Isaac on the roster along with big man Mo Bamba and many others, Gordon’s time in Orlando just seems like it has run its course.
It’s time for the other young player to step up, and Gordon is at the point in his career where he can be a role player for a playoff-contending team and allow those future stars to take over the reins in Orlando.
This would be a win-win deal and one that would likely not force the Warriors to give up their coveted 2021 Minnesota Timberwolves pick.
Gordon is owed over $18 million this season and over $16 million next season. Wiggins would have to part of the deal, and it would allow the Dubs to free up some future cap space if he was included.