Aaron Gordon is in no rush to go away Denver.
The Nuggets and their beginning energy ahead expressed mutual curiosity Thursday in finalizing a contract extension. Gordon, 29, is eligible to barter and signal a four-year contract beginning Friday when the Nuggets additionally maintain their first coaching camp at Ball Enviornment.
“I actually love this group,” Gordon mentioned throughout the staff’s media day. “I just like the gamers on this staff. I like the technical employees. So I hope we get there. It seems to be shifting in the precise course. So I am excited. I am excited, I hope, to be prolonged and to stick with this group.
Denver acquired Gordon throughout the 2020-21 season in a profitable enterprise that despatched Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a 2025 first-round choose to Orlando. Gordon moved from his earlier position as the first scoring choice, studying to enrich middle Nikola Jokic in a frontcourt partnership that turned synonymous with the Nuggets’ success. Throughout their 2023 championship run, he stored a glove consisting of Karl-Anthony Cities, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler en path to the primary championship in franchise historical past.
“I hope we’ve got productive discussions along with his representatives and might come to an settlement that satisfies us each,” normal supervisor Calvin Sales space mentioned. “He’s an integral a part of what we’ve finished. And we want to hold it right here for a very long time.
In 3½ seasons and 241 common season video games for Denver, Gordon averaged 14.5 factors, 6.1 rebounds and a couple of.9 assists, whereas capturing 54.2%. The Nuggets deployed him as a backup middle in playoff video games and in excessive leverage conditions in common seasonalong with his customary position throughout the beginning unit. Nevertheless, a few of the additional mileage of the twin position might be prevented this season after the acquisition of Dario Saric in free company. “I do not suppose you perceive the impression he will have on this staff, taking part in that backup middle and taking part in that backup 4,” Gordon mentioned.
Gordon’s present contract features a participant choice for 2025, giving him the selection to turn into a free agent after the upcoming season. Gordon is broadly thought of a discount at his present worth ($22.8 million is his 2024-25 cap hit), and he could be one of many league’s high free brokers subsequent offseason if he lands available on the market.
The Nuggets are restricted to the second luxurious tax apron for the 2024-25 season resulting from their low season roster modificationshowever Gordon’s extension would seemingly lead to a payroll exceeding the second apron in 2025-2026. They’ve already signed Jamal Murray to a most four-year extension this summer season which can come into impact subsequent season, with Murray estimated by Spotrac to earn $46.4 million within the first yr of the deal.
Which means Murray, Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.’s projected salaries in 2025-26 already stand at slightly below $140 million. The NBA wage cap for 2024-25 is about at $140.6 million.
If Gordon indicators for the complete variety of years accessible, Denver’s title-winning core of Jokic, Murray, Porter and Gordon could be locked in for the subsequent three seasons, till the summer season of 2027, when Porter’s contract expires. and that Jokic could have a participant choice.
Gordon felt ‘salty’ after exclusion from US staff
In January, Gordon was included on a listing of 41 finalists from USA Basketball to make the 12-man roster for the Paris Olympics. He in the end did not make the staff regardless of receiving an unofficial invitation, he mentioned Thursday after being requested about his expertise watching the memorable semifinal match between the U.S. staff and the Serbian staff of Nikola Jokic.
“I used to be actually torn. I used to be actually torn, you realize? Gordon mentioned. “I used to be requested if I needed to play for (staff) USA, after which the decision by no means got here. So there was a bit salt within the first place. After which simply seeing Jok take them to the wire like that, it is like, it is superior. This man from my staff is simply going to clean these cats. However all that being mentioned: “Merica”.
Gordon later posted on social media that Crew USA head coach Steve Kerr requested him about his curiosity within the Olympics after the Nuggets beat Kerr’s Golden State Warriors final season .
“Should you suppose I’m not working every single day to play in 2028 and signify… I’ve objectives!” Gordon tweeted. “Don’t fear if you wish to see me fail.”
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