PHOENIX – In today’s NBA, the most valuable players aren’t always the loudest names; they’re the ones who make everything else work. That’s where Aaron Gordon sits as he’s become the connective tissue in Denver, defending top wings, finishing efficiently, and thriving without needing the ball. The question isn’t whether Gordon is good enough for the Phoenix Suns. It’s whether Phoenix would pay the real cost of acquiring someone whose value is subtle at times but essential.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Lakers, Suns, and Celtics are among the win-now teams expected to show interest in Aaron Gordon as realistic trade suitors, per @BrettSiegelNBA
“Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics are among the many win-now teams Gordon would obviously fit… pic.twitter.com/GbCHQkMsqc
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) May 3, 2026
Nov 5, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) dribbles the ball up court in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Gordon’s recent three-year $103.6 million maximum veteran extension signals trust and stability. With team control stretching toward 2029, Denver has little incentive to move him. Lineups featuring Gordon alongside elite playmakers consistently produce top-tier net ratings, largely because he amplifies others rather than competes with them. For Phoenix, the dilemma is philosophical. The trio of Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green represents a commitment to scoring and perimeter creation. Breaking that identity for a non-primary option like Gordon would require sacrificing depth. With names like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale inevitably surfacing in rumors, but would that actually be the right move?
Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) and Jordan Goodwin (23) at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Would Aaron Gordon to the Phoenix Suns make sense?
Suns fans should view this through a wider lens. Championship teams aren’t built on talent alone; they’re built on fit under pressure. Gordon thrives because Denver asks him to do everything that doesn’t show up in headlines. Phoenix doesn’t need more talent; it needs balance. Unless that balance is clearly improved, trading for Aaron Gordon solves less than it risks.
May 9, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Gordon (50) drives to the basket against Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
