NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 24, 2020 in New York City. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic may be willing to part ways with Aaron Gordon to move up in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Orlando Magic earned a spot in the Orlando Bubble playoffs this past season. The team took down the Milwaukee Bucks in the opening game of the series and did so without star forward Aaron Gordon.
The 25-year-old Gordon is a former No. 4 overall pick by the Magic in 2014 and his presence in town has not led the team to greatness. That is not entirely on him, but the franchise is reportedly looking to package him into a deal to land a top prospect.
Aaron Gordon could be on the move
The Magic have been in NBA purgatory for quite some time. The team has back-to-back first-round exits and missed the postseason entirely from 2013-2018. Consecutive finishes just good enough to qualify for the playoffs, only to suffer early exits, has the front office looking for change.
That is where Gordon comes into the equation. He stands out as an interesting trade piece because he is still under contrac through the 2021-22 season. A team can take his money on and gain a talented, and still young, forward in exchange for a top pick during a year when the college basketball season has been turned upside down.
The Magic took Gordon early in 2014 and he has provided some flashy moments. However, he has not led the team to postseason success and it may be time for both sides to move on. Packaging him into a deal to move up into the actual lottery could inject some life into a franchise that has been seeking a true star since Dwight Howard left.
This is all still in the rumor stage right now. However, the Magic are a team looking to improve and throwing Gordon into a deal could convince another lottery team to move down and seek new life with the former Arizona star.