Aaron Gordon Sidelined Wednesday for Injury Management, Reflects on Evolving Role with Nuggets

Aaron Gordon will miss Wednesday's game against the Pelicans due to injury management. The 28-year-old forward has evolved from an Orlando star to a crucial "sidekick" for the Denver Nuggets, adapting his game around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In 2023-24, he averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 0.5 threes on 56% shooting, his lowest since 2016-17. He was a key piece of the Nuggets' championship run, averaging a career-high 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 56.4% shooting in the 2022-23 season, though his free-throw shooting remains a challenge (60.8%). His role in Denver emphasizes defense and athletic cuts, with his offensive usage decreasing from his time in Orlando where he was a primary scorer. Despite a low fantasy ceiling in standard leagues, his high floor and consistent minutes make him a valuable asset in deeper formats, especially if punting free throws.