The Indiana Pacers will be looking to improve their roster around star guard Victor Oladipo this summer, and one of their primary targets could be restricted free agent forward Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Potential offer sheet target for Indiana Pacers’ anticipated $20M-plus in salary cap space, league sources tell ESPN: Orlando Magic restricted free agent forward Aaron Gordon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2018
While the Pacers should be looking to upgrade their roster with more than $20 million to spend this free agency, the thought of the team targeting Gordon is interesting as Thaddeus Young, who can play both forward positions, similar to Gordon, recently accepted his $13.7 million player option.
While the fourth-year forward has proved to be a solid starter thus far in his professional career, he has admittedly fallen below the lofty expectations set for him after being selected fourth overall in 2014. However, the Orlando Magic have done a subpar job at building around the hyper-athletic forward, bringing in both a plethora of big men to crowd to add to a crowded frontcourt and guards that have failed to elevate his game to the next level.
It can be expected that the Arizona product will be accepting a massive offer from his current team, however, as Gordon said at the Uncle Drew premiere that he prefers to sign a five-year, $148 million contract to stay in Orlando, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
“Yeah definitely but we’ll see how it goes. Whatever Orlando wants to do. As a restricted free agent, I completely trust (management). Hopefully we just get it wrapped up with Orlando. That would be fantastic.”
Along with the Pacers, Gordon is also reportedly being targeted by the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. Gordon averaged 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 58 games with the Magic last season.
