What Happened to Aaron Gordon?
Aaron Gordon is an American professional basketball player currently playing power forward for the Denver Nuggets. Drafted 4th overall in 2014, he spent seven seasons with the Orlando Magic before being traded to Denver in 2021, where he became a crucial component of their 2023 NBA Championship team. Despite battling multiple hamstring injuries during the 2025-26 season, he has been cleared to play in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Quick Answer
Aaron Gordon is currently a starting power forward for the Denver Nuggets, having played a pivotal role in their 2023 NBA Championship. As of April 18, 2026, he has been cleared to play in the upcoming 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite a 2025-26 season marked by multiple hamstring injuries that limited his regular-season appearances. He is under contract with the Nuggets through the 2028-29 season, with a player option for the final year.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in San Jose, California
Aaron Addison Gordon was born in San Jose, California.
FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP
Gordon earned MVP honors while leading the United States to a gold medal at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
After one season at the University of Arizona, Gordon was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First-team All-Pac-12.
Drafted 4th Overall by Orlando Magic
Aaron Gordon was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.
Slam Dunk Contest Runner-Up
Gordon gained significant recognition for his performance in the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing as runner-up in a memorable showdown with Zach LaVine.
Traded to Denver Nuggets
Gordon was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and a future first-round pick.
Wins NBA Championship with Denver Nuggets
Aaron Gordon played a crucial role in the Denver Nuggets' historic run to win the 2023 NBA Championship, their first in franchise history.
Signs Contract Extension with Nuggets
Gordon signed a three-year, $103.6 million veteran extension with the Denver Nuggets, securing his future with the team through the 2028-29 season.
Career-High 50 Points
In the 2025-26 season opener, Gordon scored a career-high 50 points, including 10 three-pointers, in an overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Diagnosed with Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
Gordon was ruled out for 4-6 weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, marking the beginning of a season plagued by injuries.
Re-injures Hamstring
Gordon re-injured his hamstring in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading to another 4-6 week absence.
Cleared for NBA Playoffs
Despite missing the final two regular-season games for injury management, Aaron Gordon is not listed on the injury report and is available for Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Aaron Gordon's basketball journey began with a highly decorated high school career at Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, California, where he led his team to two state championships and was named California Mr. Basketball twice (2012, 2013). He then played one year of college basketball at the University of Arizona, earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2014.
Gordon was drafted 4th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft, where he spent the first seven seasons of his professional career. During his time with the Magic, he became known for his athleticism and spectacular dunks, notably finishing as a runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in both 2016 and 2020. However, the Magic struggled to find consistent team success during his tenure. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 25 games during the 2020-21 season before a significant turning point in his career.
On March 25, 2021, Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets, a move that significantly altered his role and impact in the league. In Denver, he embraced a role as a versatile defender, strong rebounder, and efficient offensive player, complementing stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. This transition proved highly successful, culminating in the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA Championship in 2023, with Gordon being a key contributor, particularly in the NBA Finals where he scored a playoff career-high 27 points in Game 4.
Following the championship, Gordon signed a three-year, $103.6 million contract extension with the Nuggets in October 2024, securing his presence with the team through the 2028-29 season. The 2025-26 season, however, has been challenging due to a series of hamstring injuries. He missed significant time, including a 19-game stretch from November 2025 to January 2026 and another 17-game absence from late January to early March 2026, limiting him to just 36 regular-season appearances. Despite these setbacks, Gordon showcased his offensive potential early in the season, achieving a career-high 50 points on October 23, 2025, against the Golden State Warriors.
As of April 18, 2026, Aaron Gordon has been cleared from the injury report and is expected to play in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute efficiently on offense remains crucial for the Nuggets' playoff aspirations. His current salary for the 2025-26 season is $22,841,455.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Aaron Gordon made different choices?