Boston Celtics

Here’s what we know about Celtics’ reported pursuit of Magic forward Aaron Gordon

The Celtics are the reported front runners to acquire Gordon.

The Celtics are reportedly front runners to acquire Aaron Gordon. Here's what we know. Jim Davis/Globe Staff

By Tom Westerholm

3 minutes to read

Related Links

The Boston Celtics might be one of the more interesting teams at the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday, as rumors swirl around Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon.

On Tuesday, the Action Network’s Matt Moore reported that the Celtics are “frontrunners” to acquire the 25-year-old. Here’s what we know about the negotiations so far, gleaned from various reports across the media landscape.

What will the package look like?

This seems to be a point of contention, as leaks from both sides have suggested different things. Initially, the Athletic reported Orlando’s interest in Marcus Smart, but the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy reported Smart is not part of the Celtics’ offer.

Advertisement:

Orlando seems to be asking for two first-round picks as a baseline, and the Celtics are reportedly the only team willing to offer them up at this stage (thus their frontrunner status). Per Murphy, the Celtics are still trying to keep one of their picks off the table, but they are ready to offer a first-round pick and a young player. Presumably, if the Celtics and Magic come to a deal, they will meet somewhere in the middle. A reasonable guess might be something like two protected first-round picks and Aaron Nesmith.

Does Gordon fit into the Celtics’ trade exception?

Yes.

(That was an easy one.)

What is his contract like?

Gordon signed a four-year deal worth $80 million in 2018 that descends in value every year. In 2021-22, the final year of his deal, he is slated to make $16.4 million.

How serious are the Celtics?

Serious. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on ESPN’s trade deadline special Wednesday that teams aren’t always certain whether the Celtics are actually interested in making a deal for a player when they reach out, but this time seems to be different.

Who else is in the mix?

The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors are all reported to be suitors as well. Of those three, the Nuggets might be able to put together the most competitive counteroffer (assuming Golden State doesn’t plan to put Minnesota’s top-three protected pick on the table). Houston has plenty of assets but appears to be entering a long-term rebuild. Like the Celtics, the Nuggets have most of their own picks going forward save for a protected pick in 2023, and they have plenty of young talent that a rebuilding Orlando team might find attractive.

Advertisement:

On Wednesday evening, the New York Times’ Marc Stein added the Minnesota Timberwolves to the list of teams. The Timberwolves are intriguing since they are likely getting a little desperate to put some legitimate talent around Karl-Anthony Towns, but they have one problem: Their picks are too valuable to offer up for Gordon, and they aren’t likely to move on from No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards.

What about John Collins/Harrison Barnes?

The other big-name targets the Celtics reportedly were pursuing seem to be off the table. Wojnarowski reported that Collins seems to have a home in Atlanta for the time being as the surging Hawks make a playoff push. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that the Kings are not going to sell low on Barnes as they see him as part of the team’s playoff push next year.

That sounds a bit like posturing — the Kings’ refusal to “sell low” suggests they might still be willing to sell high. But Barnes is a good player, and the Kings’ hesitancy to give him up for little value in return is understandable, especially if they are actually happy to keep him.

What does Gordon want?

Very unclear at this stage, but this ultimately might not matter much. Gordon requested a trade weeks ago, but according to Wojnarowski, he has recently had second thoughts about wanting to leave the Magic.

Advertisement:

“As of right now, I’m an Orlando Magic,” Gordon said on Tuesday. “I’ve been here for seven years, developed a home here, a sense of love and community here. For as long as I have Orlando on my chest, Magic on my chest, I’m going to give it everything I have.”

Still, that probably doesn’t matter much. Per Wojnarowski, Gordon’s change of heart has not stopped Orlando from moving forward with trade talks.

When might this get done?

Don’t expect any resolution until closer to Thursday’s deadline. Orlando has no motivation to move quickly since the Celtics’ deal will likely still be on the table up until the final buzzer, and better offers are more likely to roll in as teams get serious shortly before 3 p.m.

Get Boston.com's browser alerts:

Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com