The NBA trade machine is spinning once again, and this latest proposal has Aaron Gordon potentially heading to the Charlotte Hornets in a move designed to help the Denver Nuggets recover future draft capital while easing salary concerns. Trading Gordon would certainly be an emotional decision, but the league moves quickly, and Denver’s championship window with Nikola Jokic won’t stay open forever.
Right now, the Nuggets are in a difficult position when it comes to draft assets. Denver does not control any of its own first-round picks, and two of the three first-rounders beyond the 2026 draft have already been traded away. It’s one of the toughest stretches for rebuilding draft flexibility the franchise has faced in years.
On the “Third Apron Podcast,” Yossi Gozlan and Sam Quinn nearly completed a workable trade scenario involving the Hornets. Adding Ryan Kalkbrenner to the framework helped make the deal viable in the trade machine as a low-cost, young backup center option behind Jokic.
Proposed trade:
Nuggets receive: Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and a package of draft picks
Hornets receive: Aaron Gordon
Naturally, the draft compensation is the centerpiece of the proposal.
Denver would sacrifice some defense in the process, especially considering how badly Gordon’s absence was felt during the Nuggets’ first-round playoff exit. His defense and versatility were clearly missed. However, the Nuggets also struggled getting to the rim consistently, and Bridges could help address that weakness.
Bridges is a scoring-minded wing who attacks downhill effectively and rebounds well, although he’s coming off a disappointing season in Charlotte. That could potentially increase Denver’s leverage enough to secure an additional second-round pick in negotiations.
Charlotte has no shortage of draft capital. The Hornets own two first-round picks in this year’s draft, three in 2027, and two more in 2029. Beginning in 2027, they also hold at least two second-round selections in every draft through 2032. The organization has quietly built an impressive stockpile of assets alongside a young roster, and adding a veteran presence like Gordon could help push them toward playoff contention.
If the Nuggets decide getting younger while rebuilding their collection of draft picks is the priority, Charlotte stands out as an ideal trade partner. Denver could realistically land two first-round picks and an additional second-rounder, replenishing a cupboard that currently looks nearly empty.
The move could also improve Denver’s overall depth. Losing Gordon would weaken the starting lineup defensively, but Kalkbrenner would give the Nuggets a promising rim protector for the non-Jokic minutes.
During his rookie season with the Hornets, Kalkbrenner averaged 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 21.4 minutes across 31 starts. Denver could even experiment with lineups featuring both Kalkbrenner and Jokic together in a twin-tower setup.
At some point, the Nuggets are going to have to make meaningful roster changes. This particular trade idea would at least allow Denver to add younger talent and valuable draft assets around Jokic while still maintaining a roster capable of competing right now.