NBA Rumors: Magic High-Flyer Wants To Join Contender Team Before Contract Ends

KEY POINTS

Aaron Gordon has gone frustrated with the Orlando Magic's slump
Gordon could be moving to the Boston Celtics
The high-flyer is also said to be on the wish list of Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors

Aaron Gordon requested for a trade from the Orlando Magic recently, opting to jump out rather than finish this season with the franchise.

The 25-year-old native of San Jose, California is on an expiring deal and will become a free agent in 2022.

But seeing that the Magic’s current campaign is going nowhere, he appears to have had enough. Rather than end the current season in Orlando, he hopes to hook up with a team that is bound for the playoffs.

According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Boston Celtics are considered the frontrunners to acquire the 6-foot-8 forward.

There are reportedly discussions already taking place, but the details of the trade have yet to be finalized. Sources claim that the Celtics have offered two first-round picks and that the deal would also involve Evan Fournier.

But until something official is placed on the table, the race for Aaron Gordon is pretty much wide-open.

Aaron Gordon said in postgame comments that his trade request from the Magic was a result of frustration: “There's been times where I just expressed my frustration to management and the frustration with the losses, the injuries, the way we've been playing..."
— Roy Parry (@osroyparry) March 24, 2021

Though the name of Fournier is included in the deal, the target is to get Gordon. Though a good player, Marcus Smart is still considered better than the 28-year-old French player.

Also, the Celtics would have to find a way to match Fournier’s $17.5 million salaries. Gordon is owed $16.4 million for the rest of the season.

Gordon wants out as a result of his frustration with the Magic. He revealed to reporters why he requested a trade recently following a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

He pointed out the disappointing and crucial losses that the team has compiled over the years are one of the frustrating reasons why he is now entertaining thoughts of playing elsewhere.

Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic Getty Images | Douglas P. DeFelice

"How we've been playing and how many losses have accumulated over the years. So it's just my frustration kind of boiling over, I would say. I think a lot of people share that sentiment with me, a lot of frustration," Gordon stated.

Other than the Celtics, a team that was linked to the high-flying forward were the Golden State Warriors.

However, questions were raised on how he could co-exist with Draymond Green in the frontline. Critics called it a combination of apples and oranges although blending them poses to be a good problem to solve for head coach Steve Kerr.

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