The Orlando Magic are reportedly shopping promising young forward Aaron Gordon. Should the New York Knicks get in on the trade negotiations?
The New York Knicks are in the market for an athletic wing who can contribute on both ends of the floor. As the market heats up and new options surface in the week of the 2018 NBA trade deadline, however, new opportunities are beginning to turn heads.
None is more intriguing than the recent report that emerged out of Orlando, where the Magic are reportedly entering fire-sale mode.
The Orlando Magic are currently 15-35 and out of the postseason discussion with more than two months remaining in the 2017-18 season. For a team that wasn’t expecting to be so far below .500, blowing up the roster appears to be the only option.
According to Michael Scott of The Athletic, Orlando has reached a point where trading franchise building block Aaron Gordon is something being seriously considered.
"The new regime of Jeff Weltman and John Hammond has left no stone unturned with the deadline approaching, including quietly gauging the trade market on Aaron Gordon, league sources told The Athletic. Gordon is eligible for restricted free agency this summer, so Orlando could simply be doing due diligence."
The last part of that quote could be the most significant, but the fact that a player of Gordon’s caliber is being shopped is reason to be intrigued.
Gordon is in the midst of a breakout season for the Magic in 2017-18. He’s currently averaging 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.0 three-point field goals made per game on a respectable slash line of .447/.346/.718.
The question is: What would the pros and cons be of the New York Knicks executing a trade for Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon?