Much of the NBA trade rumors surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers lately have centered on Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. But this morning a fresh name has entered the chat: Denver Nuggets forward and NBA Champion Aaron Gordon.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Trail Blazers are interested in pursuing the 30-year-old forward if they can’t pull off a trade for Brown. Scotto also reports the Blazers haven’t been the only team with the idea to acquire Gordon.
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon
was considered among the contingency plans for the Heat if the franchise didn’t land Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade, league sources told HoopsHype. Similarly, the Portland Trail Blazers have expressed trade interest in Gordon should they not land Jaylen Brown, their preferred target, HoopsHype has learned. Ironically, the Celtics have also kept tabs on Gordon from afar.
While Gordon’s connection to the Blazers is a new rumor this summer, the two sides have been linked in reports before. Think of him as a Ghost of Blazers Trade Rumors Past. Back when Gordon still played for the Orlando Magic, the Blazers were heavily connected to the 6-foot-8 forward in trade rumors before the Nuggets acquired him in March 2021. That was when Gordon was 25. He’s now set to enter his age-31 season in October.
This past season, Gordon averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from beyond the 3-point arc. However, his season was plagued by hamstring and calf injuries, causing him to only appear in 36 games.
In addition to the Gordon angle, Scotto also reported the Blazers are expected to make a run at Cleveland Cavaliers 6-foot-9 forward Dean Wade as he enters unrestricted free agency.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade is expected to have various suitors in free agency, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told HoopsHype.
Wade, 29, averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 22.3 minutes per game in 59 appearances this past season, including 38 starts. Notably, he’s a 36.7% career 3-point shooter and a versatile defender. That skillset would help a Blazers team that finished third-worst in 3-point accuracy during the 2025-26 season.
