With the NBA trade deadline now just days away time is running out for the Celtics to make a move.
Of all the names thrown out there with possible ties to Boston, the Athletic’s Jared Weiss believes Magic forward Aaron Gordon is the player the Celtics should se their sights on.
“I have had sources telling me for years now that Aaron Gordon wants to get traded and the Celtics are interested in going for him,” Weiss told hosts Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti on the Celtics Beat Podcast on CLNS Media. “I think he’s a perfect fit, and they (Celtics) could really maximize his potential.”
Gordon is averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds a game for Orlando this season, and he is a plus defender at the three or the four.
In recent weeks Celtics President Danny Ainge has hinted strongly that the Celtics may wait until the offseason to use their $28.5 trade exception acquired in the Gordon Hayward trade. Weiss thinks waiting would be a mistake.
“If they can get Aaron Gordon with the TPE now they should do it.” Weiss said. “Because I don’t think they’re going to do much better than Gordon in the offseason.
Gordon is making $18.1 million this season, which decreases to $16.4 million next season, at which point he will be a free agent at age 27, just entering his prime. Any team that trades for Gordon is likely looking to re-sign him in a couple of years to be part of the franchise’s long-term.
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“They can still go get John Collins in the offseason even after they trade for Gordon. I don’t know if Wyc [Grousebeck] is going to pay that kind of dough. That might make them the most expensive team in the NBA. But they could also be the best team in the NBA and win a bunch of Championships.”
