Report: Suns made a late push for Aaron Gordon at trade deadline

A quiet trade deadline occurred this year for the Phoenix Suns, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t trying. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Phoenix tried to swoop Aaron Gordon from Orlando at the last minute.

This makes plenty of sense, and it’s an idea Brendon Kleen and I have been pushing for months on Locked On Suns. Not only would Gordon provide the Suns their much-needed athletic power forward, but his two-way versatility is a great fit alongside their young core.

So far this season, Gordon is averaging 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks while carrying 44.8/30.9/67.4 shooting splits. It’s been a down year for Gordon, but could the Suns bring out the best in his abilities? Compared to Dario Saric, the former Arizona Wildcat is a huge upgrade.

Other (unconfirmed) reports suggest that Orlando asked for Kelly Oubre Jr. in exchange for Gordon but the Suns declined that request and offered Tyler Johnson and Cameron Johnson instead. The sides never came to an agreement.

The question for Phoenix is how much is the price to acquire Gordon if they want to explore a trade this summer? Most likely it will cost Phoenix one of Kelly Oubre Jr. or Mikal Bridges. If one of those players isn’t included, very doubtful Orlando ships him off to the Valley.

Gordon makes just over $18 million next year and the year after, becoming a free agent in 2022. The Suns will have more than that in cap space this summer, if they can talk Orlando into a swap of lesser-paid assets to help Orlando clear their books.

For Orlando, moving off Gordon has been in the cards for awhile now. With a team-friendly contract that gets lower in annual value each season, it’s a very tradable contract that would bring plenty of interest around the Association. And with a young core featuring players like Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba and Chuma Okeke, Gordon continues to play out of position at small forward.

Gordon’s role changes if he lands in Phoenix. Gordon would become the multi-faceted, athletic power forward that’s been a huge void in the Suns’ rotation. Pairing Gordon next to Ricky Rubio, Devin Booker, Bridges/Oubre, and Ayton actually makes a ton of sense.

Suns fans, what would you give up for Gordon? Would you really relinquish one of Oubre or Bridges?