Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons to love the Aaron Gordon extension
By Adam Taylor
Aaron Gordon has committed his future to the Denver Nuggets. The forward, acquired at the 2020 NBA trade deadline, has put pen to paper on a contract extension worth $92 million over the next four years. The extension will run concurrently with his current contract, effectively keeping the Denver Nuggets third star in the Mile High City for five years.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract extension with the franchise, his agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told @TheAthletic @Stadium. Deal includes a player option for Gordon on the 2025-26 season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 14, 2021
Rumors of this extension began circulating towards the end of August, with the Denver Post’s Mike Singer originally keeping fans updated on the process.
"“There is mutual optimism, league sources told The Denver Post, about a contract extension for Gordon. A new deal could come as early as this week, a source said. Gordon is eligible for a four-year, $88 million extension. One source projected a deal could be for two or three years at an average annual salary of $20 million to $21 million per year.” – Denver Post, Mike Singer"
Aaron Gordon’s first few months in a Denver Nuggets uniform produced mixed results, with him clearly struggling to fill some of the offensive load left behind by the injured Jamal Murray. Still, Gordon’s defense was often effective on opposing wings, and his athleticism added a new dimension into the Nuggets offense.
Against the Phoenix Suns, Gordon struggled to assert himself on either end of the floor, leaving a slightly bad taste in people’s mouths after some of his earlier showings. However, with Jamal Murray due to return at some point this season, and another off-season of developmental growth for Michael Porter Jr, things could be far more copacetic this time around.
Also, you have to give Gordon a little bit of wiggle room here. He came into a new system and found himself thrust into a larger role than expected quite quickly. There are always going to be teething issues when bedding into a new situation. It just hurts that those issues happened during the playoffs.
Gordon and the Nuggets put last season behind them, it would seem, which should allow both the coaching and playing staff ample time to begin working on the game plan for next season. Sure, Aaron Gordon signing his contract extension is a huge bonus to the Nuggets, who could have lost their man for nothing in free agency next summer, but there’s more to be excited about.