Denver is not looking to give Gordon away this summer.
The Denver Nuggets went 54-28 this season and earned the third seed in the Western Conference, but none of that mattered much after the Minnesota Timberwolves knocked them out in six games during the first round of the playoffs.
Less than a week removed from that early exit, the front office is already sorting through some uncomfortable roster questions heading into what could be a franchise-altering offseason for the organization in Denver.
One of the names already floating around in early trade conversations is forward Aaron Gordon, who put up 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 36 games this season while dealing with injuries that held him to just three playoff appearances.
Gordon has been a critical piece next to Nikola Jokic since arriving in Denver back in 2021, and the Nuggets clearly know what they have, because ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported that the asking price will not be low.
What Denver Wants in Return
"The immediate belief surrounding Denver is that while the possibility of trading Gordon will be discussed, sources said it would take quite an offer to part with him," Siegel wrote. "Gordon is not viewed as a clear salary-dump option for the Nuggets entering the summer, and the only way they would consider trading him is if they were to retain key draft capital lost in previous trades, as well as another impactful starter."
The on-court numbers back that up.
When Gordon was on the floor this season, Denver outscored opponents by 13.8 points per 100 possessions, and that gap fell all the way to 3.1 when he sat.
Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game and needs a running mate who can defend, finish and keep the offense moving without demanding the ball, which is exactly what Gordon does when he is right.
Siegel added that several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics, are expected to call about Gordon ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Gordon's Contract Moving Forward
Any team looking to trade for Gordon would also be inheriting a hefty deal.
He signed a four-year, $133 million extension in 2024 that kicks in with the 2026-27 season, paying him roughly $31.9 million, then $34.5 million and then $37 million over the next three years, with that final season being a player option.
All told, that is about $103.6 million in remaining salary for a forward who turns 31 before next season and has missed a lot of time over the past two years.
Even so, the Nuggets seem well aware that letting Gordon go would thin out a roster that Jokic has committed to long term.
Unless a team steps up with the draft picks and starter-caliber talent Denver wants in return, the player fans have nicknamed "Mr. Nugget" should be back in a Nuggets uniform next season.