The Denver Nuggets view Aaron Gordon as available in trade discussions this offseason. The front office aims to re-sign restricted free agent Peyton Watson while steering clear of the second apron and its penalties on future draft picks. Every player outside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray falls into the discussable category, with Gordon among the names raised alongside Cam Johnson and Christian Braun.
Gordon carries a $31.98 million cap hit for the 2026-27 season on the final three years of his extension. He appeared in just 36 regular-season games this year, posting 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27.9 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three on 4.4 attempts. His absence through hamstring and calf issues contributed to Denver's first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gordon still provides elite switchable defense and spacing as a connector next to Jokic. The combination of his age, recurring injuries and rising salary makes him the clearest candidate to move for cap relief. A deal could open the necessary flexibility to retain Watson on a projected four-year, $90 million contract without pushing the payroll deep into repeater territory. Rivals across the league continue to value his two-way profile, even if the asking price must match the savings Denver seeks.
This marks a sharp departure from the continuity that defined the 2023 title run. The Nuggets already sit over the luxury tax and first apron entering next season, with Gordon's jump from roughly $22.8 million to $32 million accelerating the pressure. Watson's emergence as a two-way wing adds another layer, forcing choices between established production and younger upside under strict financial constraints.
Free agency looms in the coming weeks, with Watson's market likely to test Denver's matching rights and apron math. Any Gordon trade would need to net salary relief plus assets that replenish the draft capital lost in prior deals. Teams seeking versatile forwards will monitor the situation closely as the Nuggets finalize their roster before training camp.
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