The Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it became clear that Aaron Gordon must be traded. Nikola Jokic is still the best player on the planet, but he has won just two playoff series in the last three years. That is unacceptable, and the road back to title contention starts with Gordon finding a new home.
Denver isn’t trading Jokic or Jamal Murray. They produce the best two-man game in basketball, but changes must happen. They are already over the first apron with just 11 players under contract. The Nuggets must improve their defense, add depth, and find some room to bring back Peyton Watson. Accomplishing that means trading Gordon just like Denver did with Michael Porter Jr. last summer.
Gordon is an elite defender who makes the Nuggets a title contender, but they can’t trust him to be on the floor. He played just 36 regular-season games and was on the bench for the final three of this series. The 6’8 forward played 51 in 2025 and was injured in Game 6 against the Thunder. He gave it a shot in Game 7, but wasn’t healthy to make an impact. The 30-year-old can’t be trusted, so he must be moved.
Nuggets must trade Aaron Gordon to save Nikola Jokic’s legacy
The Joker won’t go down as a top ten player of all-time with one championship. Denver has made just two conference finals with the three-time MVP leading their roster. Nuggets fans know Jokic is one of the best to ever do it, but the team must make a few more deep playoff runs to cement his status.
That isn’t happening without a Gordon trade. The leg injuries keep adding up. Denver can’t suddenly expect the 30-year-old to stay healthy through the 82-game grind of the regular season and the two-month sprint it takes to win a championship. Every year should be title or bust for Denver. If Gordon can’t be trusted, he must be moved for someone who can.
The Nuggets were here last summer. They dumped Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, which opened the room to acquire Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Denver wants to repeat history. It should give them a shot to retaining Peyton Watson and add some depth pieces in free agency.
Gordon is the ideal fit when healthy. He is an elite defender and has transformed himself into a lights-out shooter. Credit to the 6’8 forward, but the injuries are a problem. That isn’t his fault, but the Nuggets can’t risk their future and Joker’s legacy on the hopes AG can stay healthy. They did it twice already, and the bet failed. It is time to cut bait.
Gordon will have plenty of suitors. He is the perfect piece for a contender when healthy. Some team will convince themselves that AG will stay on the floor with them.
The Denver Nuggets must trade Aaron Gordon and reshape the roster around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray again after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. It won’t be easy. Jokic’s legacy hangs in the balance, so Denver needs a more likely bet than Gordon staying healthy. Stay tuned to see what they can pull off.
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