The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz trade deadline 2019: Five potential power forward targets

By Jared Woodcox

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards passes the ball around Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Capital One Arena on January 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards passes the ball around Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Capital One Arena on January 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon

The Orlando Magic are in an interesting spot. They are still outside the playoff mix with an outside chance to bust in, have an All-Star talent in Nikola Vucevic, but don’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Much like their magical counterparts in the East, the Washington Wizards, they’ve been stuck in the same spot for years, though Orlando has enjoyed even less success.

Therefore, they may be in a position to shake things up as well, and if they’re looking for relief and picks, their best outgoing player would more than likely be Aaron Gordon. Conveniently enough, he also has the potential to be a perfect fit for the Utah Jazz.

Like the others on this list so far, he has the playmaking stretch-four role down to a tee. He’s a big man who can still handle the ball and score in a number of ways, and he can convert from beyond the arc efficiently enough to be dangerous. He’s one that’s been rumored to be on the Jazz radar for quite some time and it’s not hard to see why.

His 3-point efficiency leaves a little to be desired to truly fit the mold the Jazz are looking for in a fitting power forward option, but he does so much else well that it’s hard to hold that too much against him. Not only that, but at just 23 years old, he has the potential to continue to improve under Utah’s solid development program.

I personally think Gordon is a little bit risky, but you can’t help but love the intrigue. He checks a lot of the boxes the Jazz are looking for, has the athleticism and youth to undergo a major breakthrough in terms of improvement and could be available if Orlando decides to undergo a bit of a reset. He’d also be under contract through 2021-22, which could be Utah’s best hope of getting and keeping a strong talent if Gordon were indeed to pan out.

That contract length is also a little bit worrisome depending on how he improves (or doesn’t) in the coming seasons, but he’s still very much a viable target that should be considered.