Though multiple reports have indicated serious trade talks in recent days between the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic for Aaron Gordon, Yahoo’s Chris Haynes reports a deal may not happen due to Gordon’s preference to be traded to a playoff contender.
The Rockets (11-30) have the NBA’s second-worst record and are on a historic 20-game losing streak, which means they almost assuredly will not be a playoff team in 2021. According to Haynes, that dynamic isn’t desirable to the 25-year-old Gordon:
Houston Rockets players were under the impression a few days ago that a trade for Gordon was close to being finalized and a last-minute hiccup killed the deal, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Gordon has no desire to be traded to a team in a rebuild and is only interested in joining a team that has the potential to make a playoff run, sources said.
One key party with knowledge of the talks disputed that it nearly reached the point of completion. It would have likely involved Victor Oladipo. However, any team that seeks a trade for the Orlando Magic versatile forward would prefer to have some assurances that Gordon would agree to an extension, sources said.
This could decrease the trade options for Orlando. Gordon, 25, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022.
“Hoopla with Haynes,” latest news & nuggets from around NBA:
– Kings make Marvin Bagley III available with proposed trade to Pistons
– Aaron Gordon eliminating trade suitors
– Status of John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, Joel Embiid, Jarrett Allen & more https://t.co/jIIC5Oipot
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 22, 2021
Because Gordon is under contract for both this season and next season, Houston general manager Rafael Stone could still trade for him, regardless of any preference. That said, if the 6-foot-8 forward makes it clear he doesn’t want to stay beyond 2022, that could make it less likely Stone would surrender the package of assets (reportedly at least two future first-round draft picks) the Magic are seeking.
An uber-athletic frontcourt piece with a penchant for playmaking, Gordon is averaging 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 29.0 minutes this season, and he’s shooting a career-high 40.2% on 3-pointers. With Thursday’s trade deadline almost here, final resolution should come soon.
[mm-video type=video id=01f11kf9f8mhmxazga playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f11kf9f8mhmxazga/01f11kf9f8mhmxazga-2b4cd36e55ba8967eab7f1d2503a5362.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=46672]
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=29NMlQSx6u-1208369-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on