Aaron Gordon Says 'I Hated Playing in Denver' Before Nuggets Trade with Magic

Aaron Gordon became a champion and fan favorite for the Denver Nuggets, but he apparently hated playing in the city when he was a member of the Orlando Magic.

"I hated playing in Denver, coming from Orlando," he said during an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast (30:55 mark). "I was like, 'Man, get me out of here. Can't wait for this game to be over.'"

The Magic traded him to the Nuggets during the 2020-21 season, and he explained he didn't know much about Denver or the franchise prior to the move.

But it has proven to be quite the beneficial trade for the Arizona product.

The Nuggets have been one of the best and most consistent teams in the league since he arrived and took home the championship with an NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat in 2023. Gordon's ability to play and defend multiple positions, as well as finish around the rim, has made him an ideal teammate for Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

While his high-flying dunks and lob finishes stand out, he is also a matchup nightmare because of his ability to extend his game beyond the arc.

Gordon has connected on 35.3 percent of his three-pointers in Denver compared to 32.3 percent in Orlando, underscoring the better quality looks he receives playing alongside Jokić and Murray.

Perhaps the altitude was a concern for Gordon and other members of the Magic when they previously played in Denver, which contributed to his opinion about taking the court as a visitor.

But he is surely accustomed to it at this point as a key member of the Nuggets and will look to chase another title come playoff time this season.