It looked like the Denver Nuggets might be in for sweeping changes in the offseason after getting bounced in the first round in six games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Executive Josh Kroenke said everything was on the table short of trading Nikola Jokic. Trade rumors involving Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson dominated the Nuggets offseason, but the team retained all five starters.

Though the names of Gordon and Murray weren’t as prominent as Johnson and Braun for obvious reasons, many thought Murray or Gordon would yield a strong enough return and shake things up enough to lead the Nuggets down a new path.

Gordon’s name in particular was in the rumor mill after injuries in back-to-back playoff series where he either wasn’t 100% or couldn’t play at all, severely hurting Denver’s chances of getting back to the Conference Finals.

Bleacher Report published a new article looking at the top trade targets coming into the 2026-27 season.

Gordon is ranked at number nine, citing a previous report from Marc Stein, who noted that Gordon was drawing external trade interest.

Despite his injury issues, Gordon is a versatile two-way player who connects things on offense and defense. In 36 games last season, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 49% from the field and 38.% from three. Denver’s defense wasn’t good last season, but they were better with him on the floor with a 114.1 rating.

Gordon has three years left on his deal with a player option in the third season. He is owed $34 million annually.

Gordon didn’t earn the nickname “Mr. Nugget” for no reason. He’s a do-it-all player for Denver who helped raise their ceiling and floor when he was acquired in 2021. He and Jokic have an unmatched chemistry that has formed through years of reps in the regular season and high-pressure situations.

Trading him is beyond a basketball move in NBA 2K. There is a real connection between Gordon, the city, and his teammates that can’t be ignored in this situation, especially with Jokic not having committed beyond this season.

There might be better players available, whether it’s one player or a combination of players, than Gordon. There might be healthier players available. But there is no one who fits alongside Jokic and Murray the way Gordon does.

If there is a deal to be made for Gordon, the return has to all but guarantee that the Nuggets will be better when the playoffs roll around.