Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic.
The NBA’s trade deadline is a week away. Many star players are being shopped around. Some might even get bought out. Two players linked to the Portland Trail Blazers are Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic and San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge.
It’s no secret the Blazers need another big man on their team. So, let’s look at Gordon and Aldridge to see which one is the better fit. And why it’s Aaron Gordon.
Been here, seen the results. There are many posts on Blazers’ fan groups about Aldridge promoting both sides. Most of the arguments against LA stem from his departure from Rip City. Those fans still haven’t forgiven Aldridge.
Those fans still believe Aldridge is all about himself. That may be true. But his opportunity to win a championship as an essential member of a team is quickly closing. Time is a big motivator.
This is easily the worst season of his career, statistically speaking. Aldridge is averaging career lows across the board in just about every category. He is no longer the star player he used to be. So, why Aldridge?
So, why would Portland want an old “washed up” big man? Because his game fits in perfectly with this Portland Trail Blazers team. Remember how Brittle Collins, I mean, Zach Collins is a modern NBA big man? Portland drafted Collins for his ability to face up a defender, shoot or post up on the block. That’s exactly what Aldridge does.
Add in his history with Damian, and this appears to be a no-brainer. The Blazers can easily fit Aldridge in the rotation. He would look very nice playing alongside Enes Kanter or Jusuf Nurkic. Aldridge can also slide to the center if Terry Stotts wants to play Carmelo Anthony and Robert Covington with Dame and CJ McCollum.
This lineup puts five shooters on the floor that need to be covered. That would result in large driving lanes for the team to exploit. Quoting Olaf from Frozen, “All good things. All good things.”
Aldridge has a good history with Damian Lillard. He had his best two scoring and rebounding seasons when Dame was his point guard. At 35-years-old, Aldridge might not have the same athletic ability, but chemistry is chemistry. The way LA and Dame Dolla worked together in the past, it seems like dealing for him is a no-brainer.
So, how can Aaron Gordon beat LA’s case? There are more reasons than one might think.
Both men average 13.7 points per game and shoot close to the same percentage, but the other key numbers, such as rebounding and assists, are in Gordon’s favor. From a statistical standpoint, Gordon not only does what Aldridge does, but he does more of it. Playing with Lillard should only boost his stats across the board. The most important number, however, is ten, as in Gordon is ten years younger.
Another thing in Gordon’s favor is his contract. Gordon won’t be a free agent until after 2022. He would come to Rip City with an $18M salary for this year and $16M for next year. Aldridge is a free agent after 2021 with a current salary of $24M. That’s an expensive short-term rental. Unless Aldridge gets bought out, Gordon is a much better value.
Gordon is also more athletic than Aldridge. AG can play the small forward or power forward spots. A thought Rip City fans had when the team drafted Nassir Little is that Little will be a high-flying wing player. A guy who can get out on the break and catch lobs from Dame or CJ. Gordon can do the same things while also stretching the floor.
Because Orlando is rebuilding, they should be a good trade partner for the Blazers. Dealing @Double0AG helps their odds to land a high draft pick. Orlando is probably looking for a draft pick or two or at least lottery-type young players. Portland GM Neil Olshey could send Collins and Rodney Hood to the Magic for Gordon.
If the Spurs buyout Aldridge, Portland loses some leverage because the five-time Al–NBA selection can pick his team. Aldridge may not view the Trail Blazers as the best team for him to make money, contribute and win a title. Another reason Gordon is the correct choice is he’s a whole decade younger. Gordon can be a part of the new core the Blazers can build around.
The same Blazers package might land Aldridge, but there are two negatives to the deal. First, the Blazers would need the Spurs to eat at least $4.5 million of Aldridge’s current contract. Either that or the Blazers need to include another player or two. The second big concern is all these players sent over will be competing against the Blazers for a Western Conference playoff spot.
Trading for Aaron Gordon is the right choice. While Aldridge has arguably the most important pieces, experience, and rapport with Dame and Stotts, Gordon checks all the other boxes. Let’s be honest, Gordon can easily build rapport with Lillard. Besides, the internal-team and pregame warmup dunk contests between Gordon and Derrick Jones Jr. are worth the game day ticket price.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Aaron Gordon might not be the Portland Trail Blazers’ only choices, but they could be the best options.