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If the Pacers sign Aaron Gordon this summer, expect other big changes to follow

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on January 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic exchange a hug after the game between the two teams on January 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers are rumored to be interested in Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic, but there are questions about how well he would fit in.

It’s hard to know exactly how much cap space the Indiana Pacers plan to have this summer — especially if a trade happens — but if they have the room, rumors say they are in the Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon.

The 22-year-old is destined for restricted free agency this summer and according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, the Pacers, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue him.

This is of course if the Magic decide not to match any offer made by other teams. But there is a chance that they simply back out if someone offers him a lucrative enough contract.

As Deveney explains, there is a market for Gordon and it’s likely his services won’t come cheap.

"Orlando will have a choice. It can either strike quickly and come up with the $100 million or so for four years that Gordon is likely to seek early this July, giving Gordon the security of a new deal and the knowledge he is a key building block going forward. Or the Magic can wait and let the market for Gordon develop, in hopes that he won’t receive much attention. That will allow the team to save some money if Gordon gets only a value offer.In Gordon’s case, though, there will be offers — he is only 22, and his ever-improving production makes him worth the restricted risk for young teams looking to bolster their rosters."

Gordon is averaging 18.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game while shooting a respectable 34.6% on 3-pointers. His defense both inside and outside of the 3-point arc is a difference maker as well.

How the Pacers fit Gordon into their lineup, however, isn’t clear.

Too many cooks, too many cooks

Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis aren’t going anywhere soon, and Thaddeus Young is likely planning on sticking around at least one more year. Young reportedly has a player option for next season worth $13.7 million.

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The power forward will be 30 this summer and looking at his last significant NBA contract after this one. With the free agent market correcting itself — see Lou Williams $8 million a year deal — it’s hard to see him doing better than that, and one more year at $13 million is a significant difference as the next contract could be for half as much.

So if Young stays and they do in fact sign Gordon, then the Pacers have four players at center and power forward that are worthy of starting minutes. And considering the Pacers are experimenting with a lineup featuring Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, Gordon’s path to Indiana isn’t clear.

If the Pacers did sign Gordon, that likely means Young is gone, though. Unless they think Young can cover small forwards all the time, a Gordon signing likely means a Young exit via trade.

And in case you’re thinking Gordon could move to small forward, the answer is no, someone already tried that: Frank Vogel.

The experiment with Gordon at the three didn’t work out well for the Magic according to Mark Deeks of Sham Sports.

"The small forward experiment didn’t work, and nor should there ever have been one…Gordon’s numbers are down across the board, yet by far and away, his best stretch of the season was after the All-Star Break; namely, after Ibaka was traded and he could go back to power forward. From a skills development point of view, the outside shot-making is the most obvious area of improvement, but the positional correction is the key to his future. He is a difference maker as a four with his interior defence, perimeter defence and cutting. He isn’t as a three."

So even if the Pacers move Young (assuming he takes his player option), then Indiana forces itself to make a choice on Turner and Sabonis. My belief is that Turner is a ways away from losing his job, but that’s assuming he shakes off the stop-and-go nature of his season.

They obviously don’t need to trade either, but Sabonis’ production is just too good to remain on the bench forever. All signs point to him being a great teammate, but it’s hard to know how long he’ll be happy with coming off the bench.

Next: Checking in on a few recent Pacers departures

A Gordon signing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. If the Pacers sign the restricted free agent this summer expect more big moves to follow — if the Pacers don’t make them before then.

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