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On Friday, Denver Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon became eligible to sign an extension worth up to $149.5 million over four years. If he doesn’t sign one and declines his $22.8 million player option for 2025-26, the 29-year-old forward will be a free agent at the end of next season.
Gordon and the Nuggets have been an ideal fit since the team acquired him from the Orlando Magic at the 2021 trade deadline. He is their best and most versatile defender, and he has played the most efficient basketball of his career in their offensive system. At Denver’s media day on Thursday, both Gordon and general manager Calvin Booth sounded optimistic about continuing this partnership.
“Hopefully we have productive conversations with his representation and we can find a deal that we are both happy with,” Booth told reporters. “He has been an integral part of what we have done and we would like to keep him here for a long time.”
“I really love this organization,” Gordon told reporters. “I love the players on this team. I love the coaching staff. So I hope we can get it done. It looks like it’s going in the right direction, so I’m excited. I’m excited, hopefully I can be extended and remain.” with this organization.”
Booth’s front office let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had started on the wing the past two seasons, walk free in free agency this summer and has received a lot of backlash for the decision. Denver also signed cornerstone Jamal Murray for a Maximum extension of four years. Reaching a deal with Gordon would solidify his position as part of the Nuggets’ core going forward, alongside Murray, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.
Gordon has averaged 14.5 points (on 60.5% true shooting), 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 241 regular season games for Denver.
