What a poor start to his season. Everybody loves Aaron Gordon. He's Mr. Nugget, and he's the glue guy of the team. But the glue is starting to fracture, and Gordon doesn't look like himself through the team's first 10 games. He's shooting so poorly, he's actually becoming a liability on the offensive end of the court. Perhaps he needs a few games with fewer minutes while his mojo comes back. The Nuggets have a capable backup in Trevon Brazile, after all.
Gordon was just 3-for-11 from the floor for 9 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Denver Nuggets 123-118 win. It was a mild improvement from his 3 points on 1-for-7 shooting against the Houston Rockets just a game earlier. He's shooting just 25.6% from three, down from 38.9% last year and 43.6% in 2024-25.
Gordon has taken some questionable step-backs that he shouldn't have taken, and he's been slow at creating space when needed. Offensively, he can't be relied upon to be the third option in the offense until he gets his shot back.
The Nuggets need to give more minutes to Trevon Brazile
I'm not saying bench Gordon. But I am saying Brazile should see closer to 28 minutes while Gordon gets 18. Brazile doesn't even need to start. Keep the starting five together. Brazile has already been the first man up off the bench multiple times in the last few games.
Brazile has already shown that he can play the dunker spot just fine. He's a constant lob threat, and he's shooting an impeccable 76.9% from two. Brazile's a top-tier rebounder, averaging 10.3 per 36 minutes, and his defense has been impressive as well.
While Brazile is only shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc, it's still better than AG. And if Brazile can connect on a few more, he'll help the spacing even more. For now, teams see a 6-foot-10 rookie on the perimeter and leave him alone. But he has no hesitation on his shot, and they'll start to fall.
Brazile is super athletic. And if there were anyone the Nuggets have ever had who could play for Gordon, it's Brazile.
Gordon would get more rest for later in the season
Another benefit would be to keep some wear and tear and mileage off of Gordon. The Nuggets are already at risk of running Jamal Murray into the ground with the amount of minutes he's playing. But they have to play him given how hot he's been.
We'll see what head coach David Adelman chooses to do. But Gordon has to get his mojo back soon for the good of the Nuggets.
Add us as a preferred source on Google