The Boston Celtics are considered to be the pioneers in hiring Orlando Magic striker Aaron Gordon through exchange, several sources confirmed to The Action Network on Monday night. While the structure of an agreement is under active discussion and considered the main offer, sources say that no agreement has been agreed and Magic is expected to continue accepting offers until Thursday’s deadline.
Gordon’s list of suitors has grown in recent days, with the Nuggets, Blazers and Mavericks, along with longtime suitor Houston Rockets, who had targeted Gordon in conversations with three during James Harden’s business negotiations.
Houston, notably, and as previously reported by The Athletic, offered Gordon two choices in the first round recently, but was unable to reach an agreement due to Gordon’s reluctance to sign an extension with Houston, the sources confirmed.
Boston, several sources confirmed, offered two first-round options. No other team on the board has yet to reach this level of supply. It is not yet known what types of protection are associated with these negotiations, but it is assumed that there will be some, if not significant, protections in the first rounds.
In addition, the structure involves Evan Fournier going to Boston, with the Celtics sending a player, both choices, and using his Negotiated Player Exception from Gordon Hayward’s exchange.
As for the player, negotiations continue with Magic preferring Marcus Smart, while Boston is reluctant to part ways with its former emotional heartbeat and guard All-Defensive Team.
Boston’s Traded Player Exception is not eligible to be traded with another player, so the sources suggest that the structure would include multiple trades as part of a larger structure.
The Denver Nuggets are considered to be another serious competitor with Will Barton, Bol Bol and a draft of compensation between the assets offered. The Portland TrailBlazers are actively chasing Gordon, but there is a growing sense from sources close to the negotiations that Portland will not be able or unwilling to match competing offers.
A deal involving Gordon for the Boston Dealer Player Exception would create another TPE for Magic, giving them a trading asset that they can use for future business. There is still reticence from sources not involved in the negotiations that Magic will actually actively seek out deals involving its core.
Gordon becomes a free agent in the summer of 2022, giving the teams a year and a half to assess his suitability or to hire him for a long-term extension. Gordon has an average of 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for Magic, while recording the best of his career with 40.2% in the 3-point range.
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