Boston Celtics: Reports tab Cs as being ‘interested’ in Aaron Gordon

The Boston Celtics remain active in the trade market, as they are reportedly interested in Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon. This name has been linked with the Cs for a while now, and the most recent reports seem to support those rumors.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor listed five teams that have interest in the Arizona-product: Houston, Golden State, Minnesota, Portland, and Boston. Both the Rockets and Timberwolves would be looking to add Gordon to a long rebuild, while the remaining three teams are attempting to compete in the present.

The Boston Celtics have shown interest in Aaron Gordon

As for a potential return, O’Connor wrote this in his Sunday article:

"The Magic have never had the right personnel to optimize Gordon. The 25-year-old is having one of the best seasons of his career, but he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. Orlando is seeking a mix of young players and first-round picks for Gordon, and someone might be willing to bite."

If that’s going to be the price for Gordon, the Boston Celtics certainly have the capital to get a deal done.

Between young players such as Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith, coupled with a good amount of draft picks, Danny Ainge has all the assets he needs to improve his team. Don’t expect Boston to part with both of those young pieces, but one may be on the move in favor of an experienced veteran.

As for AG, he’s having a solid year on an injury-ravaged Orlando team.

Averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, the 25-year-old has continued to improve in his seventh year in the league. Recording a career-high in assists per game, he has become more of an on-ball distributer rather than a slashing shot-taker.

On top of that, he’s shooting the ball at the best percentage of his career, sinking 41 percent of his shots from downtown. For someone that shot less than 31 percent from that same range a year ago, this development is massive for bigs in the modern NBA.

With an above-average 3-point shot, he can now operate as an off-ball 3-and-D four, which is an incredibly valuable type of player on championship-contending teams.

He fits in the Boston system reasonably well, taking a secondary role on the team as an athletic defender and finisher who can drain an open shot. In bench units, he has proved he can create offense, as he’s had to play with a subpar cast of characters in Orlando this season disregarding Nikola Vucevic.

The shamrocks got to see Gordon in person this past Sunday in their112-96 win against the Magic. The power forward scored 12 points on 3-13 shooting in the contest, not leaving the best impression on the front office. However, in his previous game against the Brooklyn Nets, he scored a season-high 38 points, leading his team to an impressive victory against the Eastern Conference favorites.

Gordon is under contract through next season, meaning the Boston Celtics would be acquiring him to both compete this season as well as during the following year. On paper, Ainge and company would love to have him as an addition to the squad.

He would be another productive quality player to take a spot in the rotation, something that this team has been searching for throughout the first half of the season.

It all comes down to what the Celtics are willing to give up. It makes sense for Orlando to want to get rid of Gordon — they are set for a full rebuild in the near future with their high draft pick this year, and AG will likely leave after next season anyway.

However, Boston might opt for a cheaper option at the same position such as Harrison Barnes or Nemanja Bjelica, two players who are acquirable for lower prices.

The Boston Celtics don’t need to go all-in this trade deadline. Though they’re boasting a mere .500 record of 21-21 through 42 games this season, they still have a bright future ahead of them revolving around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Other teams such as Golden State and Portland might be keener on making a move for players such as Gordon, as their championship windows are quickly closing.

Therefore, expect those teams to make respectable offers for the forward.

Ultimately, it’ll come down to how much Danny is willing to pay.