Take this with a grain of salt as I’m not too aware of this journalist
Matt Moore The Action Network
The Boston Celtics are considered the frontrunners to add Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon via trade, multiple sources confirmed to The Action Network Monday night. While the framework of a deal is in active discussion and considered the leading offer, sources say no deal has been agreed upon and the Magic are expected to continue to take offers up until Thursday’s deadline.
The list of suitors for Gordon has increased in recent days, with the Nuggets, Blazers and Mavericks, along with long-time suitor the Houston Rockets, who had targeted Gordon in three-way conversations during the James Harden trade talks.
Houston, notably, and as previously reported by The Athletic, offered two first-round picks for Gordon recently but were unable to reach a deal due to Gordon’s reticence to sign an extension with Houston, sources confirmed.
Boston, multiple sources confirmed, has offered two first-round picks. No other teams on the board have yet to reach that offer level. It’s not known yet what types of protections are attached to those talks but there is an assumption there will be some, if not significant, protections on the first-rounders.
Additionally, the framework involves Evan Fournier going to Boston, with the Celtics sending a player, the two picks, and using their Traded Player Exception from the Gordon Hayward trade.
As to the player, negotiations continue with the Magic preferring Marcus Smart while Boston is reluctant to part with their longtime emotional heartbeat and All-Defensive Team guard.
Boston’s Traded Player Exception is not eligible to be dealt along with another player, so sources suggest the framework would include multiple deals as part of a greater framework.
if the deal ends up Fournier/Gordon for Smart and 2 firsts, I'd have to think it's going to happen provided the C's intend to keep both Fournier and Gordon through at least next year. Not thrilled with giving up 2 firsts though. Gordon's a decent PF but he's never reached the level I thought he would when he was drafted. doesn't help that the TPE would basically be toast at that point so no real all-star can be had in the offseason
Smart > A.Gordon
A downgrade and then two 1sts for Fournier? Smells fishy.
I disagree on the basis that:
1. Gordon averages
18.3 Pts / 8.4 reb / 5.2 ast Per 36 while Smart averages
14.7 Pts / 3.2 reb / 6.3 ast Per 36
2. Gordon's career FG% is
45% versus Smart's which is a cringe-worthy
38% (Gordon's lowest ever FG% is higher then Smart's best ever FG%)
3. Gordon is
6'8" and athletic, which gives him more defensive versatility then Smart (when locked in he can pretty much guard 5 positions)
4. Gordon's biggest weakness is possible his three point shooting, and it's still
no worse then Smart's (32.5% vs 31.9% for their careers)
5. The advanced stats
(BPM, Win Shares Per 48 and VORP) for Gordon and Smart are pretty much dead even across the board which would go against the inevitable arguments people will make that Smart has more "impact not shown on the box score"
I've been saying for a while now that this team already has three high volume shooters who can put points on the board. What they desperately need is (1) versatile 'do a bit of everything guys like Gordon Hayward, (2) capable shooters who can stretch the floor, and (3) additional bench depth to take some load off the starters. Aaron Gordon fill need #1, while Fourner adds an outstanding shooter and much needed bench depth as a 6th man who can produce consistently.
I appreciate what Smart brings, but given the way this team has been playing (lately lack of ball movement, poor shot selection, etc) I really don't think a trigger happy guard with poor shot selection like Smart does much for the team. And those future (likely late) first rounders aren't likely to do anything to move the needle any time soon.
