The NBA is back, and with it, a fresh slate of storylines is emerging across the league. Today, October 22, the league kicks off with two exciting matchups, with the New York Knicks facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Lakers later in the evening.
In other news, the Denver Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2023-2024 season. Per reports, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are gearing up to make a push in the 2024-2025 season, with odds at (+950) to win the NBA Finals in 2025.
In a major coup, the Nuggets have locked in forward Aaron Gordon, inking a four-year, $133 million extension. The deal, initially reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, includes a player option for the 2028-2029 season. However, with a player option and trade kicker, Denver has solidified its grip on the 29-year-old Gordon, a crucial piece of their 2023 championship team.
Gordon, the 2014 NBA draft’s fourth overall pick, has had a storied career, starring in 428 games for the Orlando Magic before joining the Nuggets. His best season with the Magic came in 2017-2018, where he averaged 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Since joining the Nuggets, Gordon has become a reliable piece in the front court under head coach Michael Malone, starting all 241 games he’s played for the team. His arrival in Denver has been a game-changer, pairing him with star talents Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to form a formidable trio.
With this new deal, Gordon is now locked in with the Nuggets until at least the 2027-2028 season, after which he can opt out of the final year of his deal. Denver opens the 2024-2025 season at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with high hopes of regrouping from last season’s disappointing playoff exit.
