The Denver Nuggets made a franchise-altering trade when they acquired Aaron Gordon from the Magic in 2021. Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and Denver's 2025 first-round pick went to Orlando, which turned out to be Michigan's Jase Richardson, who the Magic selected with the No. 25 pick on Wednesday.
Gordon requested a trade from the Magic due to his frustration about a multitude of issues. The deal was a perfect match for AG and Denver. It gave Nikola Jokic one of his favorite teammates of all time, which says a lot. They complement each other perfectly, and their chemistry is unmatched.
The Nuggets got everything they wanted (and more) from the trade, with Gordon turning into a key piece of the 2023 championship squad. What he's done for the team and the city over the past few years is something that fans will never forget. He's Mr. Nugget for a reason.
Denver knew that it wanted to have Gordon around for the long term, signing him to a three-year extension before the start of last season. He responded by averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, shooting 53.1% from the field and 43.6% from three. Gordon went on a generational run in the playoffs, averaging 16.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He became the first player in NBA history to hit a game-winning dunk and three-pointer in the same postseason.
Magic select Jase Richardson with No. 25 pick from Aaron Gordon trade with Nuggets
Denver entered the draft without a pick (but they will technically have a rookie on the roster in DaRon Holmes II!), which frustrated some fans. However, when you remember why that's the case, it lessens the frustration. There is no one the Nuggets could select who would come close to what Gordon has given the organization. The same goes for the Magic, who drafted AG with the No. 1 overall pick in 2014.
Harris and Hampton, the two players the Nuggets gave up in the trade, are no longer with the Magic. Orlando waived Hampton in 2023 after he failed to establish himself as the promising young player the Magic thought they were getting. Harris wasn't the player Orlando envisioned, either.
Denver won that trade by a large margin, way before the pick it sent in the trade became official. It's a deal the front office would do again in a heartbeat.