The Orlando Magic face a big question with their most promising young player. Should they offer Aaron Gordon an extension? The OMD staff debates.
Welcome to Orlando Magic Daily Debates, a new series at Orlando Magic Daily. Our staff look at key questions surrounding the Orlando Magic and debate them in a conversational form. Think of this as if the Orlando Magic Daily staff is sitting around the bar talking about the big issues facing the team. This is a peek into the kinds of discussions we have as a staff.
The Orlando Magic underwent a tremendous change this past offseason. The team completely revamped the front office with Jeff Weltman and John Hammond replacing the Rob Hennigan regime.
The team also shook up the roster with veterans including Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights being brought in along with newer talent such as Jonathon Simmons.
Yet even with the new season just days away, questions still remain. And the season still relies heavily on the Magic developing their young players. Their future may rely heavily on these players. That makes one of the most important questions going forward the future of forward Aaron Gordon.
The fourth-year forward has been hailed as a future star since coming into the NBA as the fourth overall pick back in 2014. But he has yet to truly have a breakout season.
Last year, the Magic tried to help him break out and moved him to small forward. It was clearly not a strong fit. While he averaged 12.7 points per game, he shot the ball inefficiently and looked out of place.
The Magic seemed to unlock some potential in Gordon after the All-Star Break. Moved to power forward, Gordon averaged 16.4 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. This seemed closer to his potential.
And Gordon has only added to that ledger in the preseason, looking impressive with his scoring ability throughout the preseason.
In light of this, an important question is raised: Should the Orlando Magic give Aaron Gordon a contract extension?
It appears the team is going to wait until the summer and let him hit restricted free agency. New management is still learning this team and learning the players. They want to evaluate everything. And that likely means a contract extension is not oncoming.
There are plenty of big questions wrapped up into this overarching question about Gordon. The only thing he can do is play his way into a contract.
The Magic may not give him a contract extension now, but this will be a debate raging the entire season.
Comments have been edited for context and clarity.
Should Aaron Gordon be offered an extension?
Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): I think the practical thing to do is allow Aaron Gordon to hit restricted free agency. Next year’s market will be very tight, especially compared to the figures many teams have given out on extensions this summer. This will allow the Orlando Magic to evaluate his future fit with the team, and will almost certainly help them sign him to a far cheaper contract, as very few teams will have the cap space to make him an offer.
Samuel Skubala (@SamSkubalaSport): I agree. Gordon could fit many teams, and I think he’s a starter in the long term. At this stage, it would be best for him to hit restricted free agency.
Ricky: I think it is extremely difficult to sign him to an extension after the Joel Embiid (five years, $148 million) and Gary Harris (four years, $84 million) deals. If I were Gordon’s agent, I would point to these deals as Embiid was taken one spot before him in the draft, and Harris has produced at a similar — if slightly higher — level, albeit at different positions.
Harris averaged 14.9 points per game and shot a 58.6 percent effective field goal percentage last year for the Denver Nuggets.
Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I see no reason to sign him now. You can just wait and match in restricted free agency at worst.