The Denver Nuggets are ready to compete for another title. There are teams in the Western Conference, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have improved, and Denver is trying to keep up with them. They are doing it by bringing back one of their key players, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, who has agreed to a four-year, $133 million extension.
Aaron Gordon and Nuggets Agree to Four-Year, $133M Extension
Gordon joined the Nuggets in 2021. He was part of a deal that sent him and Gary Clark to Denver in exchange for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and a draft pick. Gordon spent his entire career with the Orlando Magic up to that point. Since joining the Nuggets, he has remained one of their key players. Gordon averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 73 games last year. The year before that, when the Nuggets won their championship, he averaged 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
Gordon’s extension comes after there were reports that the Nuggets were unwilling to sign him to a max contract. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that Gordon and Denver were negotiating, but the Nuggets were not willing to give him the $150 million he was eligible for. They were hoping to bring him in for less. The Nuggets had until Oct. 21 to sign him to a new deal, and the two parties agreed just in the nick of time.
Aaron Gordon’s new deal comes via opting in on his $23 million salary for 2025-26, then three additional years at his maximum salary plus bonuses. Total of $133M. A key member of Denver’s 2023 championship team is now locked in long term. https://t.co/M7x2coMJJm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 22, 2024
Gordon will opt into the final year of his current deal, which will give him a salary of $23.8 million in the 2025-26 season. After that, Gordon will receive his maximum possible salary. Gordon’s extension also includes a trade kicker and a player option in 2028-29.
The Nuggets Core Is Locked In
The Nuggets are adamant about keeping their core intact. They signed Nikola Jokic to a supermax extension back in 2022. The deal began in the 2023-24 season and goes up to the 2027-28 season. Jokic has a player option that year. This offseason, Denver gave Jamal Murray an extension. Murray signed a four-year, $208 million deal with the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. was also eligible for an extension. Porter still has his rookie extension and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The Nuggets have their key players for at least a few more seasons, which will benefit them as they go for another title. Denver also lost some players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He joined the Orlando Magic. The move benefited Denver from a financial standpoint, as it helped them avoid the second apron. Regardless, the Nuggets have their core players. Denver is gearing up for what should be a successful season, and with their core intact, they still have a shot at competing.
