Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five free agent PF’s to keep an eye on for the Phoenix Suns

By Ross Ittel

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns on March 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns on March 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic attempts a dunk during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic attempts a dunk during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon

The former University of Arizona product is a name that is well known to valley basketball fans. After being a somewhat surprisingly high pick for the Orlando Magic when they took him fourth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, he has shown improvement year-to-year.

Coming into the league, Gordon was known as a great defender and a supreme athlete. He has always been known as a bit of a tweener,  but with position-less basketball a thing now, this really isn’t a problem.

Over his career he has put up improving numbers each year. Gordon is a great rim runner and can essentially jump out of the gym as we have seen in the NBA’s dunk contest.

Durability has been a little concern with him after missing 35 games his rookie year with a broken foot and 24 games this past year with multiple concussions and hip contusions.

Yet even with those injuries, coming off a season in which he averaged career highs of 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists, “Air Gordon” will be in line for a big pay day. Shooting has always been his biggest concern with his best numbers coming this past season of a 33% mark from beyond the arc.

He is a restricted free agent meaning the Suns will have to pony up the big bucks or the Orlando Magic are sure to match the offer sheet.

What is interesting is the Magic’s current roster breakdown. They just selected Center Mohamed Bamba sixth overall and last year took forward Jonathan Issac at the same draft slot. At 6-10″, Issac appears to be more suited to play the four spot so it will be interesting to see how high the Magic value Gordon.

A sign-and-trade is a possibility here.

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