Miami Heat: B/R proposes blockbuster deal for Aaron Gordon

In one of Bleacher Report’s latest articles, it’s suggested the Miami Heat go all in on a trade for Aaron Gordon. Let’s explore the potential deal.

With the Miami Heat and entire NBA having spent the last three months in limbo, the trade rumors and proposals have been flying left and right. That is especially true for the club down in South Beach, as they have their eyes on adding a third All-Star by 2021.

In his most recent article Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested that player might be Aaron Gordon, currently on the eighth seed Orlando Magic. The proposed price tag unfortunately, is a little steeper than most Heat fans (and Pat Riley himself) would likely be comfortable with.

Swartz claims a package including Kendrick Nunn, KZ Okpala, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2025 first-round draft selection could do the job of convincing Orlando to play ball. This couldn’t be more true, and frankly, seems to be an overpay for Miami if anything.

At 24 years old, fans and executives are unsure what to make of Gordon; a combo forward who doesn’t do one thing particularly well, but is simultaneously and undoubtedly a good player.

He’s averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for the Magic this season. But it’s just as clear as the Heat being on the hunt that Orlando’s hoping to sell high on Gordon.

Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves all having taken a reported interest in the youth previously according to reports. Still, it’s hard to see any of those three clubs offering any package similar to that of the suggested Heat bundle.

Parting ways with young Nunn isn’t the issue here. But the idea that Miami will offer up a first-round pick for a player who has yet to find his niche, or earn his first All-Star appearance (outside of losing the Slam Dunk contest in three straight bouts), is quite literally insane.

The Heat have only two first-round picks to offer up over the next five years. They don’t call Pat Riley “the Godfather” for his Billy King-like tendencies to offer up draft assets for uncertain return.

Not to say it would be a waste to offer a first-round pick for Gordon, but is that really assets best spent? Especially given Miami is also being tied to higher-esteemed players like the 2018-2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, or 2015-2016 Most Improved Player Victor Oladipo.

There’s also his potential fit next to Bam Adebayo, Miami’s All-Star big man. If they’re going to trade for another forward, that will no doubt steer them in terms of direction. Without the floor spacing to match Adebayo’s lack of presence from deep, that’s almost an absolute non-fit.

Gordon’s likely going to be dealt this upcoming offseason, barring some insane hero-like postseason stretch for the Magic. But this deal, for this team, makes next to no sense.

Make no mistake, getting traded to the Miami Heat could quite possibly be the best thing for Aaron Gordon; just not vice versa. Pat Riley and company are going big fish hunting. Not to be confused with gathering young talent on the path of a rebuild.