For the first time since the 2023-24 regular season, Aaron Gordon has played in all of the Denver Nuggets' first nine games to start the year. However, it hasn't yielded the results many Nuggets fans were likely hoping for. Maybe it's time to accept that Gordon's time as the third option behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is all but over.
There was some optimism during the offseason that the Nuggets could improve from their disappointing finish in the 2025-26 campaign, partly because of Gordon's return to the lineup. Unfortunately, they are just 5-4 and rank 10th in the Western Conference. The once high-octane offense is also nowhere to be seen.
Aaron Gordon's decline has been deflating
Of course, Denver's current downward spiral can't be attributed to Gordon alone. Still, we can't overlook the fact that he is putting up just 11.2 points per game, on pace to be his worst scoring average since the 2015-16 season, his second year in the league.
The shots aren't falling for the vet. He is shooting a career-worst 39.5 percent from the field, and he has connected on a paltry 27.8 percent of his 4.0 three-point attempts per contest.
Perhaps Gordon is merely on a slump, and his productivity and efficiency on offense could pick up sooner rather than later. However, that could prove to be wishful thinking, as he is still dealing with a left calf injury, among other possible ailments. And let's face it, at 31 years old, it's hard to get our hopes up that he can still level up his play significantly.
The Nuggets cannot rely on Jokic and Murray alone
Even if Gordon becomes a dependable role player, the Nuggets would still be in a pickle because they lack at least one shot creator who can consistently generate points for the squad. That much was evident in their frustrating loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday. Murray and Jokic combined for 63 of Denver's 100 points, with no other Nugget reaching double digits in scoring. How did AG do that evening? He scored three points on 1-for-6 shooting.
With Gordon looking washed and adding a game-changing talent unlikely to come to fruition because of the organization's tricky financial situation and dearth of high-value trade assets, someone already on the roster will need to rise to the occasion.
Who could step up to the plate, though? Cameron Johnson has been nothing more than a spot-up shooter so far. Christian Braun's offensive bag remains limited. DeMar DeRozan has been a disappointment, and his fit with the Nuggets continues to be worrisome. Some of the youngsters, especially Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins, have looked promising, but they need a facilitator to set them up on offense.
Given the Nuggets' situation, we can't really fault fans who see the glass half empty. Gordon can shift that perception a bit if he is able to turn things around this season. But even then, the front office should be actively searching for ways to bolster the roster and surround Jokic and Murray with enough offensive help.
Add us as a preferred source on Google