Aaron Gordon has been one of Denver’s unsung heroes all season. Now, he has helped lead them to the brink of a title.

The Nuggets forward has stepped up in big moments throughout the playoffs, most recently in his team’s NBA Finals series against the Heat. The 27-year-old exploded for 27 points in Game 4 to lead his team to victory and move within one win of a championship.

Before he arrived in Denver, Gordon was most known for his dunking ability. He finished as the runner-up in both the 2016 and 2020 NBA Dunk Contests. However, he has evolved into a versatile and productive forward — and he’s been an integral part of the Nuggets’ run to the Finals.

The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know about Gordon, including his career stats, contract details and personal information.

Aaron Gordon trade details

Nuggets received: Aaron Gordon, Gary ClarkMagic received: Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, 2025 first-round pick

Gordon was traded to Denver on March 25, 2021 along with his teammate Gary Clark. In return, Orlando received Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a future first round pick.

Despite spending years as one of the best players on a struggling Magic team, Gordon quickly embraced his limited role on a talented Nuggets team that featured future MVP Nikola Jokic, talented guard Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Aaron Gordon contract details

After landing Gordon and giving up a decent haul, the Nuggets couldn’t afford to let him leave. And so during the 2021 offseason, Gordon signed a four-year, $86,640,001 contract that will keep him in Denver until 2025.

The contract was fully guaranteed, and it gives him an average annual salary of $21,660,000. He will make $19,690,909 for his efforts during the 2022-23 season, not included any playoff-related bonuses.

 

(All figures courtesy of Spotrac.) 

YearBase Salary

2022-23$19,690,909

2023-24$21,266,182

2024-25$22,841,455

2025-26*$22,841,455

 * – Gordon has a player option in his contract for the 2025-26 season

Aaron Gordon height and weight

Height: 6-8Weight: 235 poundsExperience: Nine seasons

Part of what makes Gordon special is that he plays bigger than he’s listed, as evident in Game 4 of the NBA Finals when he bullied the Heat front court. Against any mismatch, Gordon aggressively attacked and made Miami pay for any mismatch.

Gordon was born in San Jose, Cal. on Sept. 16, 1995. He attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose before going on to play his college ball at Arizona. In his lone season with the Wildcats, he was named one of 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year award and was selected to the All-Pac-12 First Team.

He was selected by the Magic with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. His production was lackluster over the first few years of his NBA career, but he drew nationwide attention with his performance in the 2016 NBA Dunk Contest. He went on to finish second behind Zach LaVine.

His best season in Orlando came in 2017-18, when he averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. However, in 2021, he was sent to the Nuggets at the trade deadline.

 

Ed Gordon and Shelly Davis are Denver Nuggets’ forward Aaron Gordon’s parents. Both can be seen from time to time at Ball Arena watching and supporting their son playing basketball.

Gordon’s father and mother met at San Diego State where Ed spent four years playing for the Aztecs. Shelly, on the other hand, was a track and field star. “AG” often credits his mind-boggling athleticism to his parents.

They’re family’: Thunder broadcaster Michael Cage and Aaron Gordon’s dad share a special bondEd Gordon was college teammates with the Thunder’s color commentator (and Tony Gwynn) at San Diego State.@JoshuaBRobbins tells their touching story: theathletic.com/1555649/?sourc…

Shelly Davis had a Bachelor of Science in computer information degree and a Master of Science in marketing from the University of San Diego. She eventually worked in Silicon Valley as an engineer and computer scientist.

In 2018, when Gordon was still with the Orlando Magic, the family behind Ed and Shelly Davis launched the “Gordon Family Giving Foundation.” The platform was created to “provide opportunity through science, technology, engineering and math education to underserved and underrepresented young students.”

Aaron Gordon’s parents, to this day, are actively involved in the foundation even if the basketball star is already playing for the Denver Nuggets.

Following the Nuggets’ sweep of the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, “AG” sent a shout-out to his parents for their unceasing support.

Aaron Gordon’s parents should be elated with their son’s spectacular Game 4 performance

The Denver Nuggets have taken an 86-73 lead heading into the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Aaron Gordon has been a big reason for the Nuggets’ significant lead.

“AG” leads Denver in scoring with 25 points on 10-13 shooting, including 2-3 from behind the arc. Gordon’s last-second three-pointer gave the Nuggets the 13-point lead before the fourth quarter

Gordon is continuing his strong showing in the series. He has been a mismatch for the Miami Heat, particularly when double teams are sent to defend Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Gordon has feasted on the defense of smaller players such as Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, and Max Strus when he’s in the paint.

Jokic, who is arguably the best passing big man, has consistently fed Gordon for close-range shots to punish Miami’s defense. Ed Gordon and Shelly Davis should be ecstatic with how their son has been playing in the NBA Finals.