Getting a superstar in any sport is one of the toughest tasks you can ever try to complete. Unfortunately, the Orlando Magic are still trying to find out how to do so. Outside of Markelle Fultz, Nikola Vucevic, and Jonathan Isaac, the Magic don’t have too much young talent on their roster. Fortunately for the Magic, they do own a very attractive trade chip in the form of Aaron Gordon. Before the suspension and restart of the 2020 season in Orlando, the Magic were rumored to try to shop Gordon during the annual NBA trade deadline in mid-February, per Forbes’ Sean Deveney. Orlando was unable to find a new suitor for Gordon, but they may have an even better shot now to get a hefty return for the six-foot-eight Power Forward. Gordon averaged 14.4 PPG, 3.7 APG, and shot 43.7% from the field, showing his versatility on Offense and Defense. 

If Orlando were to ship Gordon off, they will need to find some frontcourt depth after the confirmation that Isaac will miss the 2021 season. This certainly creates a headwind against an immediate trade. Unless the Magic receive a sizeable forward in return for Aaron Gordon, losing crucial depth in the frontcourt would make another run to the playoffs difficult in a loaded Eastern Conference. Many people tend to forget that Gordon is only 25. Gordon has plenty of good basketball seasons ahead, even if he doesn’t suit up in the Magic blue and white in 2021. On top of all of this, many teams such as the Warriors, Nuggets, Suns, and the Bulls have all been linked in Trade Rumors. Orlando has plenty of trade options they can take, but here are the three best they should make while dealing with Gordon.

Gordon unites with Steph and Klay in California

Golden State Receives: Aaron Gordon, Mo Bamba, ORL 2021 2nd-round pick

Orlando Receives: Andrew Wiggins, GSW 2021 1st-round pick

Analysis: This trade would easily give Orlando insurance in the frontcourt if Isaac or Vucevic have to miss time for injury, and it adds a completely different element toward Orlando’s shooting. Orlando had the 4th-worst Field-Goal Percentage (44.2%) and the 6th-worst three-point percentage (34.1%) in the entire NBA in 2020. Wiggins, who shot 44.7% from the field and 33.2% from downtown while averaging 21.8 PPG and 5.1 RPG could be a revolution to Orlando’s offense. Some people may think trading Gordon and Bamba is too much for Wiggins, but Wiggins had a pretty good season in 2020, and Golden State will be in the market for Frontcourt help, especially with other teams probably making a push for Giannis Antetokounmpo in Free Agency and Golden State not having enough money to go after other big-name Free Agents. 

Gordon heads to Boston to pursue an NBA Title

Boston Receives: Aaron Gordon, ORL 2020 2nd-round pick

Orlando Receives: Marcus Smart, Grant Williams

Analysis: Although Orlando doesn’t secure frontcourt depth in place of Isaac, this is still a great trade to make for teams. With the Magic, they get Gordon’s contract off their books and bring in Smart, who was in the running for the Defensive Player of Year award after a stellar 2020 Season. Smart averaged 12.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, along with 1.7 SPG, and 0.5 BPG. Smart alongside Fultz and Evan Fournier wouldn’t be deadly, but it would be more than enough to improve Orlando’s terrible offense. Orlando also gets Grant Williams, but he’s here to make the money work and could become a good forward down the line if everything works out in Orlando. As for Boston, they get Gordon, who is the dominant big man Boston’s lacked since Kevin Garnett, along with netting Orlando’s 2nd-round selection, which turns out to be a high 2nd-round pick to own.

Gordon moves to the Windy City while Lavine moves down south

Chicago Receives: Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, ORL 2020 1st-round pick

Orlando Receives: Zach Lavine, Thaddeus Young, CHI 2021 2nd-round pick

Analysis: Now, this would be an epic trade if it were to go down. For Chicago, newly hired Head Coach Billy Donovan would be able to help transform Gordon into a superstar, just like he did with Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, and Kevin Durant while coaching for the Thunder. Chicago also gets the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, where drafting another cornerstone would be certain. As for Orlando, they go all-in with this trade to try and compete for the Eastern Conference by acquiring Lavine. Lavine is coming off of his best season yet, as he averaged 25.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.2 APG. We need to remember that Lavine did this at 24 years old. Chicago also throws in Thaddeus Young, who did still contribute with 10.3 PPG and 4.9 RPG in his 13th season. Chicago also gets Orlando’s 2021 2nd-round pick.