The Denver Nuggets were embarrassed out of the first round and will likely be making changes this offseason. Aaron Gordon is the player the Nuggets will most likely move on from, and the Los Angeles Lakers are a potential destination for him.
Lakers Among Interested Teams
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Lakes are among the teams that would be interested in acquiring Aaron Gordon.
“Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics are among the many win-now teams Gordon would obviously fit in with as realistic trade suitors.”
While Gordon was a key part of their championship run, his recent health issues have made him unavailable, resulting in him missing multiple playoff games this year. That uncertainty in his health might push the Nuggets to part ways with him.
How Gordon Fits the Lakers
From a basketball perspective, Gordon is a great fit. The Lakers need a reliable two-way forward who can defend well without needing the ball, and Gordon fits that role. He adds toughness, versatility, and playoff experience.
Gordon’s fit is even clearer next to Luka Doncic. Luka plays best with teammates who cut, defend, and finish plays, and that’s exactly what Gordon does. Therefore he would quickly become one of the Lakers’ top defenders, able to guard top wings and bigs, helping cover defensive weaknesses.
On offense, he would be very useful playing alongside the Lakers’ playmakers. He finishes well at the rim, is a good lob target, and can hit corner threes, making him a strong role player. The main concern is his durability. Injuries have kept him out of important stretches, which is a big reason Denver might consider trading him.
Potential Trade
Lakers receive:
Aaron Gordon
Nuggets receive:
Jarred Vanderbilt
Deandre Ayton
Jake LaRavia
2031 First-Round Pick
This trade proposal is a bigger move for the Lakers, but it’s closer to what Denver would want in return. Vanderbilt would give the Nuggets a defensive forward with some of Gordon’s skills, and Ayton would add a starting-level big man to play with Nikola Jokic or lead the second unit. LaRavia adds more depth, and the future first-round pick is the main long-term benefit.
For Denver, this trade is not just about replacing Gordon. It’s a chance to reshape the roster with several useful players and stay competitive. For the Lakers, it’s about trading depth for one high-impact forward who can make up for many of their current weaknesses.
Does It Make Sense?
The benefits for the Lakers are clear. Gordon fills a big need as a two-way forward and would improve the team’s defense right away. Also, he fits well with Luka and does not need the ball to make an impact, which is important on a team with stars. The main worry is the price. Trading several rotation players and a future first-round pick is a lot, especially with Gordon’s recent injuries.
For the Nuggets, this kind of offer is more likely to start real trade talks. They would get more depth, size in the frontcourt, and future options, without having to rebuild completely. Still, the main question is whether they value Gordon’s fit with Jokic more than the benefits of a deeper, more balanced team.
Conclusion
This is a rare situation where both teams would benefit. However, the upgrade would be marginal and would unlikely take either team to the championship level they want to be at. Unless the Nuggets are dead set on moving on from Aaron Gordon, this trade is unlikely to go through.
