Rumors

Uncomfortable discussions loom about Denver’s core around Jokic, including whether the 30-year-old Gordon can stay healthy for eight consecutive weeks of playoff basketball at this stage of his career. The Nuggets know from experience how many roster flaws he covers up. But those flaws bubble to the surface every time he’s hurt. At the very least, he will no longer be considered off the table as a trade candidate when team brass meets to discuss next steps, league sources have told The Post.

Denver Post

One of the Nuggets’ top priorities will be retaining restricted free agent Peyton Watson, and if they do, at least one current starter is almost guaranteed to be sacrificed in a corresponding cost-cutting move. Johnson has been considered the most likely candidate to be traded for months, according to sources, but Gordon and Braun are in the same salary range as him. Denver’s first-round flame-out was disastrous enough that anyone other than Jokic could feasibly be shipped off.

Denver Post

Some relief can be created by offloading forward Nnaji, but the demand is low to non-existent for a guy who made $8 million while playing 12 minutes a game this season. That leads to the uncomfortable conversation of trading the beloved Aaron Gordon, who is nicknamed Mr. Nugget. Gordon has three years and $103 million left on his deal, and while it’s hard to imagine Gordon playing anywhere else, it’s getting harder to justify keeping him on the roster if he is continually unable to perform when it matters most.

New York Times

Bennett Durando: Aaron Gordon is out for Game 6 in Minnesota.

x.com

Vinny Benedetto: Aaron Gordon is questionable for Game 6 with left calf tightness. Peyton Watson remains out. Both players worked out after today's walkthrough.

x.com

Bennett Durando: No update yet on Aaron Gordon's status for Game 6, but I asked David Adelman about whether Gordon's mobility would need to look better than it did in Game 4 for the Nuggets to feel comfortable that he can be effective, or if that limited version of him would make him a no-go.

x.com

Bennett Durando: No Aaron Gordon tonight for the Nuggets.

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Shams Charania on Aaron Gordon: I'm told he's expected to be out tonight. He wants to play. I think the team's going to have to protect him from himself. And so you think about Aaron Gordon. He's their emotional leader. He's their glue piece. And so you're probably, if you're the Nuggets, preparing to be without him tonight and then a massive game five, you're facing elimination at home.

YouTube

Anthony Slater: Aaron Gordon is questionable for Game 5 tomorrow night because of this continued left calf issue. He was clearly limited in his 23 minutes last night. Nuggets will remain without Peyton Watson with their season on the line.

x.com

Tatiana: This was the only good thing about the entire 4 post game interviews. AG being the best teammate said: “look, I'm behind Jok. So, whatever Jok is on, we're on two. So, if he takes exception to it, I do too.” AG is a ride or die for his own 🥹

x.com

‪Michael Scotto‬: David Adelman on Aaron Gordon: “There was no minutes restriction, but I think everybody saw Aaron was laboring. He gave us what he could give us. I thought it was unfair for me to keep him out there, to be honest. We’re going to have to decide what we’re going to do for Game 5.”

bsky.app

Vinny Benedetto: Stan Kroenke and Alex Rodriguez have been chatting for a good 15 minutes now. Tim Connelly and Josh Kroenke talked before TC greeted Zeke Nnaji, Aaron Gordon and others in the Nuggets organization.

bsky.app

Shams Charania: Critical lineup news: Denver's Aaron Gordon will return tonight in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves (8:30 pm ET on ABC), sources tell ESPN. Gordon is playing through a calf injury that sidelined him for Game 3.

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Jason Quick: Aaron Gordon begins his pregame warmup for Game 4 in Minnesota.

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