Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been a pivotal piece to the franchise since being trade to Denver in 2021. Gordon, 30, was on the 2023 championship roster and has played 328 games with the franchise. 

Throughout those 328 games, Gordon has averaged 14.7 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Aaron Gordon's skill set complements the Nuggets' offensive scheme well. He keeps defenses on their toes with his shooting ability as well as his ability to drive to the rim. 

In the 2025-2026 season, Gordon was not a factor for the Nuggets and was not available for part of their postseason run due to a left calf injury. Gordon also suffered from recurring hamstring injuries throughout much of the season, only playing 36 games. 

In a recent article published by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, he brings up the idea of Aaron Gordon being a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Aaron Gordon is owed at least $31 million a year until 2029. The Lakers have been rumored to part ways with LeBron James, who takes up a bulk of their payroll, and Rui Hachimura, a forward who plays similarly to Gordon, will be an unrestricted free agent. 

The Lakers will have some financial flexibility as they are expected to have some moving parts on their roster this summer. Gordon is someone who can be a pivotal player for them and has championship experience. There is stability as well, as he's under contract for three more seasons. 

Gordon provides a lot on both ends of the floor. The longer he's been in the NBA, the better his jump shot has gotten. In 2014, he was drafted mainly for his athleticism and his ability to drive to the rim. 

Aaron Gordon has converted himself into a capable 3-point shooter, shooting a career percentage of 38.9. The Lakers love to shoot from the perimeter, and he can provide that. 

The issue for the Lakers-Gordon pair is that he doesn't provide the size Los Angeles needs. The Lakers' centers struggled throughout the season, and it reached a low point in the postseason after the Lakers struggled on the inside against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. 

While Aaron Gordon can provide a lot of paint presence for the Lakers, they would benefit the most offensively. Gordon is a capable paint defender and rebounder, but above all, he is an elite scorer in the paint.