The Denver Nuggets have reportedly hit a roadblock in their contract extension talks with forward Aaron Gordon, as the team is unwilling to offer him a four-year, $150 million maximum deal. ESPN's Brian Windhorst revealed on 'The Hoop Collective podcast' that while both sides are optimistic about a future deal, the Nuggets are hesitant to meet Gordon’s max contract demands. Instead, the team hopes to reach a more modest agreement that still reflects Gordon's value without stretching the organization’s finances.
"From what I understand, they are negotiating with Aaron Gordon. Aaron Gordon was eligible for a four-year, $150 million-ish contract extension. They haven’t handed out that offer, otherwise he would have signed it."
"From what I understand, they are negotiating and they’re hopeful of getting him at less than what would be his quote, unquote max. We’ll see if that get that done, but I think they’re trying to do a negotiation there." (26:53)
Aaron Gordon , who still has two years left on his current four-year, $86.4 million contract, including a $22.8 million player option for the 2025-26 season, has been a vital component of the Nuggets ' success.
The potential max extension, which would pay Gordon $37.5 million per year, would make him one of the highest-paid power forwards in the league. However, the Nuggets appear cautious about committing that level of financial resources to a player who, despite his importance to the team, has not been an All-Star.
From a financial standpoint, the Nuggets are weighing the impact of Gordon's potential max salary. Seven of the eight power forwards currently earning more than the proposed $37.5 million per year have All-Star credentials. Gordon’s strengths, including his off-ball movement and defensive versatility, are crucial to Denver's system, but the team seems hesitant to allocate such a significant portion of their salary cap to a player without those accolades.
Despite these contract hurdles, both Gordon and the Nuggets have expressed a desire to continue their partnership. During the team’s media day in September, Gordon spoke highly of his experience with the organization, sharing his excitement about the potential for an extension. His comments reflect his desire to stay in Denver and his appreciation for the winning culture that has developed since he joined the team.
Gordon’s impact on the Nuggets cannot be overstated. Since arriving in Denver via a midseason trade from the Orlando Magic in 2021, he has provided much-needed defensive versatility and athleticism, complementing the skills of reigning three-time MVP Nikola Jokic . Together, they helped lead the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA championship, cementing their place among the league’s elite teams.
Gordon’s performance last season — where he averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field — highlights his importance to the team’s success on both ends of the court.
However, with the Nuggets already having committed substantial financial resources to other core players like Jamal Murray , who signed a four-year, $208 million max contract earlier this offseason, Denver must carefully navigate its salary cap situation. Locking up Gordon for an exorbitant sum could limit their flexibility to make future roster moves and stay competitive in the long term.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, there are whispers that Gordon could potentially be traded. NBA insider Shams Charania has suggested that other teams may be interested in acquiring the 29-year-old forward if the Nuggets decide to explore other options. With Gordon likely to be coveted by teams with cap space, the Nuggets may have to weigh the possibility of losing him if they cannot strike a deal soon.
Ultimately, while the Nuggets would like to keep Gordon in Denver, the financial realities of a max contract make negotiations challenging. Whether they can find common ground remains to be seen, but both parties seem committed to working toward a solution that keeps Gordon in a Nuggets uniform for years to come.
Related: Anonymous NBA Executive Thinks The Nuggets Are Stuck: Jamal Murray Is Declining And Michael Porter Jr. Is Overrated
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