If Nuggets truly want to keep Watson at 23, Aaron Gordon could be the Cavs Answer!

If Cavs truly want to compete for a title in the East they need an athletic Defensive Wing 🪽 & Aaron Gordon at age 30 fits the bill.

If Nuggets truly are dead set on keeping the younger less experienced player in Watson then it is going to cost Denver one of...

1. Cam Johnson 23mil expiring deal

2. Aaron Gordon 30mil yr - owed then 34mil, 37mil plus has trade kicker which would need waved.

3. Jamal Murray - max deal

If Nuggets keep Watson the most logical path would be moving Cam Johnson 23mil expiring deal & Zeke nnjai 2yr 15mil deal.

But Cam Johnson is a perfect fit for Jokic w his spacing & Defense at 6 8 he is a perfect system player ,& if Nuggets keep & pay Watson...Cam Johnson could be plan B.

However Nuggets books are still distressed badly & they nowhere near getting under the luxury tax of 200mil.

They are 2mil over 2nd apron w only 12 roster spots atm.. so they at 223mil in payroll. But bc Nuggets never reset the books w 2 yrs in a row under luxury tax. Which is 200mil this year. The Nuggets Tax Bill has huge multipliers. Atm being just 2mil over 2nd apron & 22mil over w out Watson the Nuggets are at a 64mil tax bill. Watson QO of 6.5 mil puts there bill at 112mil in taxes alone. And thats the minimum.

If Watson signs 4yr 100mil deal at 25mil aav like Braun... and they move 23mil cam Johnson expiring deal. Then they still adding 2mil onto books and would be 4mil over 2nd apron. Gonna be a huge Tax bill still.

Moving Aaron Gordon would prob be there best bet.

1. Aaron Gordon has had injury issues past few yrs & just turned 30.

2. Aaron Gordon signed a huge 3yr 101mil deal w a trade kicker & a Player Option.

31mil owed in 26

34mil owed in 27

37mil owed in 28 (player option)

When healthy Aaron Gordon is a Defensive menace out west constantly guarding opps best players.

I believe if Cavs use their 10mil trade exception to take on zeje nnjai 2yr 15mil deal to give Nuggets huge cap relief. 7mil = 30mil+ in Taxes... over 2yrs thats 60mil in savings & Denver dont have to give up draft capital to move zeke.

Then a trade of Gordon for Strus & Shroeder + 2nd Rd Pick... w 3rd team Cha taking Shroeder + 2nd into melo trade exception. No 1st rd pick or swap. Just taking on zeke bad deal + 1x 2nd to move Shroeder to cha. Thats it for draft compensation.

That leaves Strus 16mil expiring deal for Nuggets to keep or move by deadline to save more $

Strus expiring easy to move bc his elite shooting & Defense... injuries happen & teams always need Shooting.

Nuggets would lose a cornerstone in Aaron Gordon... but they keep the younger option & defender in Watson. Which compared to a 30yr old vs 23 makes sense. Plus Watson is cheaper.

Aaron Gordon would be an absolute 💯 game changer for the Cavs.

He is a champion 🏆 through & through & has experience when lifhts are brightest.

Gordon Def versatility is undeniable. He can play the 3 or 4. He is a proven 3 pt shooter & has improved his 3 ball throughout career. Hes always a Plus player. +7 on the court. Hes just a winning player.

This is exactly 💯 the move Cavs need to make to win 🏆 a title.

Harden

Mitchell

Gordon

Mobley

Allen

Aaron Gordon Mobley & Allen is a scary front court...

Cavs would instantly be east contenders w this move.

So if Nuggets dont want to give up Watson....

A play for Aaron Gordon could be in play for Cle...

The $ works too. STRUS & SHROEDER MAKE 31MIL...

cavs can move zeke nnjwi into lonzo ball trade exception..

Cavs incl Sac 31 2nd rd pick.

Gordon fits Timeline w Mitchell whos also 30.

I would 💯 prefer Aaron Gordon to Cam Johnson...

I think Cam Johnson is an upgrade for Cavs over Struss but Aaron Gordon is that elite athletically piece cavs are missing. .

I actually would rather have Kuminga than Cam Johnson.

Cavs need an elite athletic defender on the wing 🪽.

Aaron Gordon would be the missing piece for a title IMHO!