Skip to main content

Using trade exception to acquire Aaron Gordon needs consideration


The Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon was taken fourth-overall in the 2014 NBA draft, two spots before Boston picked Marcus Smart at #6. I felt at the time that Danny Ainge would have taken Gordon with the sixth pick if the 6'8" power forward was still on the board. Well now, with a $28.5 million trade exception in his hands, it may be time to consider adding the super-athletic wing. Here's why:

Brad Stevens feels you can't have enough mid-sized wings

Brad Stevens does not favor the "little guys" because they often get mis-matched on defense by taller opponents. He also is not fond of the old-school, big centers. In his mind, they just can't be effective on his switching, perimeter defensive strategies.

Gordon's salary fits the trade exception

Aaron is set to earn $18.1 million this season and $16.4 million in the 2021-22 season. His salary was front-loaded, and that relatively-low $16.1 million figure kicks in when Jayson Tatum's max contract goes into effect.

Aaron fills the void left by Gordon Hayward's departure

Last season, Hayward averaged 33.5 MPG, 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 4.1 APG - not that much different from Aaron's numbers (32.5 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.7 APG). Aaron may not have Hayward's ball-handling skills or his craftiness, but he might fill that void and accept his role as a third-or-fourth option.

This may finally bring the all-wing lineup Stevens craves

We have to realize that the much-liked Kemba Walker may finally be succumbing to the long, hard grind of an NBA career. His knees are a concern. I see Boston's core as the Jay team and Marcus Smart. Although Smart may not be a typical point guard, he's not a typical anything. He is undefinable, but in Brad's systems, he fits at the PG spot. Put 6'8" Aaron Gordon out there with a mix of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Tristan Thompson and Smart, and Brad has the 6'3"-6'9" mix that he favors. 

Here's another argument for picking up Gordon (via Boston.Com's Conor Roche)

For options along the wing, Magic forward Aaron Gordon presents an enticing possibility for the Celtics to add to their perimeter depth. Gordon has put up solid numbers in Orlando over his six-year career but has never broken through to become a star player. With two years left on his deal and making $18.1 million this season, the Celtics can get Gordon without having to move other salary and would still have $10 million left on the exception.

I rest my case! 


Comments

  1. I never thought that Gordon would be a good fit with the Celtics until I read your piece. You’ve convinced me. Let’s see if;
    a) Danny wants to make it happen
    b) Orlando is interested

    Could be an awesome pickup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just think he hasn't yet peaked & fits nicely.

      Delete
  2. Couldn't agree more. The kid would fit in great here. Danny needs to get this done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This deal would be at the very-high end (money-wise) that Ainge will try for. Barring any "deal-of-the-decade, of course. Danny is so unpredictable, God knows what he will come up with. But I have liked this kid, and I still feel Danny would have taken him, even over Smart, if he lasted to #6 in the draft.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Elm Street Nightmare

 A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.)  Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube   Elm Street  surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He  resided on Elm Street  in Townsend, Massachusetts  2.) He  kidnapped a woman  at gunpoint on  Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was  tried, convicted   and sentenced for the murders at  Superior Court , corner of  Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the town police force. When evil and cleverness reside in the same mind, the st

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion

In defense of Marcus Smart

 Let me make it clear first of all that I am totally against making a threat of any kind that even hints at harming, or certainly killing, another human being. Marcus Smart was wrong in doing so in the Celtics loss to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder , and he deserved the one-game suspension. But to be honest, part of me loved that it occurred. . This type of thing can happen when a player gets to a point "beyond frustration" and is having a bad game. Marcus and his teammates have been under-performing generally - were in the process of losing to a pathetic-and-tanking Thunder team - and Smart was having a bad game . And he let loose verbally at the closest target - an NBA official. Wilt Chamberlain did a similar act versus referee, Earl Strom when Wilt was having his usual tortuous time at the free throw line (per Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith): ''He was in one of those 1-for-13s,'' recalls referee Earl Strom. ''Nothing was getting close. S