Aaron Gordon wants Magic to change him. But not anywhere. Gordon prefers to join a team determined to play in the playoff.
The Celtics would probably qualify.
Even at 21-22 years old, Boston has impressive young talents. The Celtics would be even more formidable with Gordon – although it could be complicated by a bigger deal that also includes Evan Fournier and Marcus Smart.
Matt Moore of The Action Network:
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.
Boston, several sources confirmed, offered two first-round options.
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.
The Celtics could fit Gordon into his commercial exception. They would have to match Fournier’s $ 17.5 million salary.
But Smart (assuming he’s healthy) is better than Fournier.
Therefore, Boston may be offering to pay a very high price.
That said, it is impossible to judge the value of the choices of the first round without knowing their protections. Gordon would also be more valuable to the Celtics if he signed an extension. Boston could use other players (like Tristan Thompson) to match the salary, instead of Smart.
With the departure of Gordon Hayward, the Celtics lost much of the versatility that made it flourish. Although Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown played well this season, Boston had a big competitive advantage with three wings that opponents had to account for. Gordon and Fournier could help replace part of that production – Gordon more inland, Fournier more in the perimeter.
As much as Gordon and Fournier helped the Celtics, I would be surprised if Boston sent Smart to Orlando. But there are many structures that this business can take on until Thursday’s trade deadline.