RealGM

How Is Aaron Gordon At Playing The 3 On Both Ends Of The Floor?

U don't want to hear the answer from our fans


My take :

He is great at defending forwards

But he is best when he plays in offense like a traditional 4, you want him to crash the board, not dribble behind the 3pt line

AG can defend threes great, actually struggles against bulky/stretch fours a little bit. On offense, he is way more in his element as a 4.. but honestly I think it has to do with our playstyle more than anything.

Yeah, I figured that would be the case. I was intrigued when I saw the rumors of the Mavs pursuing him, but honestly, I'm not sure what all it accomplishes in the long-run. The Mavs really need a 3D wing, and Gordon seems to be a bit shaky from 3, and he's obviously not a lockdown defender. The Mavs already have Kleber who is a 3D PF/C, and sure, Powell suffered an achilles tear, but if he comes back, then he's a guy that can catch lobs, provide decent/good switches, and even give the team some extra stuff in terms of steals, blocks, and some jumpers (although he is definitely way worse at shooting than Aaron Gordon is).

But if the Magic and Mavs had come to a deal for AG, then what do you think the deal would have looked like? And how bad does Orlando want an expiring contract? AG's deal deescalates and he only has 2 years left on it too, so why would the Magic want to trade him away?

HairyGOATee wrote:Yeah, I figured that would be the case. I was intrigued when I saw the rumors of the Mavs pursuing him, but honestly, I'm not sure what all it accomplishes in the long-run. The Mavs really need a 3D wing, and Gordon seems to be a bit shaky from 3, and he's obviously not a lockdown defender. The Mavs already have Kleber who is a 3D PF/C, and sure, Powell suffered an achilles tear, but if he comes back, then he's a guy that can catch lobs, provide decent/good switches, and even give the team some extra stuff in terms of steals, blocks, and some jumpers (although he is definitely way worse at shooting than Aaron Gordon is).

But if the Magic and Mavs had come to a deal for AG, then what do you think the deal would have looked like? And how bad does Orlando want an expiring contract? AG's deal deescalates and he only has 2 years left on it too, so why would the Magic want to trade him away?

AG isn't someone we want to throw away, although some fans are of that mind. He is worlds better and more versatile than Kleiber or Powell, and alongside a true star like Doncic he would probably look like a star himself. As the 3rd option behind Doncic and Porzingis he would become a big lob threat, someone who cuts frequently and often gets open, he'd crash the boards and focus more energy on defense. He wouldn't give you the 3pt touch you want right now but I have every confidence he will be a 40% 3pt shooter by his late twenties. He's not a lockdown defender, but he is great at bodying up the likes of LeBron and Kawhi. He defended Kawhi as well as anyone could have hoped in the playoffs last year.

But in answer to your question, there is nothing that Dallas have, that they would be prepared to trade, that we would want for AG. I think Dallas fans are in for a rude shock when they realise how long it will take to put contending talent around Doncic. Dirk got what, 2 finals appearances and 1 championship in 20 years there?

AG can play 3, provided that the he plays within his strengths of spotting up or cutting to the basket.

The problem with him is he likes to play outside his role (creating how own shot, pull up jumpers etc). And when he does that, he struggles. Thus the low percentages, and that says a lot about how much he tries to play outside his strengths.

For the past two seasons, ive noticed that he plays within his role post ASB, thats why his numbers are better now.

Playing alongside Doncic will be tremendous for him.

I want to say something similar to what Josh Smith was in ATL, a Poor man's version. Does a lot of things well but not great. Good finisher and cuter, decent defender not very good one on one player/shooter. Likes to do too much; however, that would likely not happen if there was a true Alpha. Would do well with a playmaker like Doncic but just don't expect a star player. Better suited as a role player in my opinion.

Bensational wrote:

HairyGOATee wrote:Yeah, I figured that would be the case. I was intrigued when I saw the rumors of the Mavs pursuing him, but honestly, I'm not sure what all it accomplishes in the long-run. The Mavs really need a 3D wing, and Gordon seems to be a bit shaky from 3, and he's obviously not a lockdown defender. The Mavs already have Kleber who is a 3D PF/C, and sure, Powell suffered an achilles tear, but if he comes back, then he's a guy that can catch lobs, provide decent/good switches, and even give the team some extra stuff in terms of steals, blocks, and some jumpers (although he is definitely way worse at shooting than Aaron Gordon is).

But if the Magic and Mavs had come to a deal for AG, then what do you think the deal would have looked like? And how bad does Orlando want an expiring contract? AG's deal deescalates and he only has 2 years left on it too, so why would the Magic want to trade him away?

AG isn't someone we want to throw away, although some fans are of that mind. He is worlds better and more versatile than Kleiber or Powell, and alongside a true star like Doncic he would probably look like a star himself. As the 3rd option behind Doncic and Porzingis he would become a big lob threat, someone who cuts frequently and often gets open, he'd crash the boards and focus more energy on defense. He wouldn't give you the 3pt touch you want right now but I have every confidence he will be a 40% 3pt shooter by his late twenties. He's not a lockdown defender, but he is great at bodying up the likes of LeBron and Kawhi. He defended Kawhi as well as anyone could have hoped in the playoffs last year.

But in answer to your question, there is nothing that Dallas have, that they would be prepared to trade, that we would want for AG. I think Dallas fans are in for a rude shock when they realise how long it will take to put contending talent around Doncic. Dirk got what, 2 finals appearances and 1 championship in 20 years there?

I agree with the last part 100%. They had some "runs" with Nash and Finley, but with Don Nelson coaching the team, they always sucked on defense.

That's why I think the Mavs should look into acquiring a "throw away" player next season. Maybe the Kings would be willing to send Harrison Barnes back to Dallas for an expiring contract and 2nd round picks (perhaps a protected first). Mavs could create that expiring by re-signing Courtney Lee to a 1 year deal since they have his bird rights. Then the Kings can give Bogdan a deal that he is happy with, slide Hield back into the starting lineup, and develop both Bagley and Giles (maybe Richaun Holmes a little too), with Bjelica figuring into the rotation too (likely trade him away before the deadline).

But, of course, the Mavs should do that after drafting players this year with their first round pick and GSW's 2nd, and then using their $10 million MLE to pick up a player like Jae Crowder.

AG would be better without those horrid fade aways . . .

Don't see any possibilities with Dallas.

Dw Mavs fan
You dont have the assets to gest him.

Theoretically he could bully most 3's in the paint if we chose to utlize it. But its not a huge part of our gameplan, and as a spot up shooter he doesn't really work. So he looks better when he plays the 4 on offense.

Defense he can play both, probably better guarding 3's.