The Indiana Pacers were urged to pursue Aaron Gordon, a move that would give Tyrese Haliburton a stronger defensive partner and add championship experience to a team trying to make another run at the NBA Finals next season. The idea centers on Denver’s forward, who has spent years forming a productive duo with Nikola Jokic.
For the Pacers, the timing matters because roster decisions are already being weighed for next season, and Gordon is slated to make $33.7 million then. If Indiana wanted to act before the start of the next league year, it would only need to match his current $22.8 million salary, which is why the discussion has taken on a practical edge rather than staying a pure hypothetical.
Gordon was described as the kind of player who could slot alongside Haliburton in the starting lineup. His value is not hard to see: he brings athleticism, defensive versatility and the kind of postseason pedigree the Pacers would welcome if they are serious about contending again. For a team that has reason to believe another Finals push is possible, that is not a small upgrade.
But the deal would have to make sense on both sides, and that is where the path gets narrower. The Nuggets may want to shed salary heading into next season, and they also have Peyton Watson due as a restricted free agent this summer. Gordon’s contract is part of that equation, which is why Indiana’s interest is tied to Denver’s willingness to trim costs rather than to any sense that a trade is already close.
One version of the move would send Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker to Denver for Gordon, giving the Pacers the defensive upgrade they want while giving the Nuggets a way to ease their payroll. No agreement has been reported, and the question now is not whether Gordon would fit in Indiana, but whether either team is ready to treat the fit as more than an idea.
