Aaron Gordon focused on future with Denver Nuggets after 'win-win' contract extension

It should be a little easier for Aaron Gordon to focus these days.

After wrapping up a four-year contract extension worth $133 million that will keep Gordon in Denver through at least the 2027-28 season on Monday, the 29-year-old was asked what he wanted to add to his game in the future.

No specific skill was mentioned.

Now, its just the game within the game.

I think its about the mentality now, Gordon said Tuesday.

I feel like I can do everything on the basketball court that there is to do.

Ive been playing this game for a long time, you know.

Mark Kiszla: The Nuggets make big $341 million bet their Core Four is more than a one-hit wonder The question for Gordon, in the final year of his 20s, is how his ability to do a little bit of everything fares with most of his new deal playing out on the other side of 30.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone noted guys like Vince Carter and LeBron James are among a small group of recent players who have retained most of their burst into the twilight of their lengthy playing careers.

Malone believes Gordon will eventually be a member of the small fraternity but also challenged the starting power forward to improve elsewhere to offset any lost steps to come.

Aaron is that type of an athlete where hell always have an athletic advantage, but if you took away the athleticism, obviously, Aaron has playmaking.

I think hes a guy that we can play through more.

He was a back-up point guard in Orlando for years, Malone said.

Obviously, you can always improve your 3-point percentage, your free throw percentage and just be even more consistent from those areas.

As athleticism maybe wanes, you need your skill level to improve.

Jamal Murray maintains he's ready for start of pivotal season | Nuggets season preview Gordons athleticism, defensive versatility, ability to put pressure on the rim and knock down open shots paired with some added ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities have helped the Nuggets win a lot of games and one championship since he was traded to Denver ahead of the 2021 deadline.

He detailed the mentality the team needs from him to continue its winning ways over the course of his new contract.

Just steady, even-keel, focused, Gordon said.

A level of focus through an entirety of a game, through an entirety of the season, through the entirety of a (playoff) series.

The Denver Gazette's NBA predictions for the 2024-25 season | Nuggets season preview Now, theres one fewer potential diversion, at least for a few more years.

Without the extension, this season, which starts with Thursdays game against Oklahoma City, couldve been his last with the Nuggets.

He wouldve been a sought-after addition in next summers class of free agents for the same reason hes incredibly valuable to Denver alongside Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Im thankful that contract (negotiation) is over, because its less distractions, Malone said.

As a coach, you want everybody focusing on the task at hand, and thats the season.

To not have that hanging over his shoulder, that allows him to fully focus on being the best Aaron Gordon for his team, going out there and playing at a high level on both ends of the floor.

Much is asked of Aaron Gordon, and hes a guy that continues to show you hes more than capable of answering that call on both ends.

Gordon said he didnt sense any pressure after signing a new deal that keeps the Nuggets four core players at least three more cracks at winning the franchises second championship.

Thats the primary focus after reaching an extension he called a win-win for he and the team.

Im not going to let the money change me.

Ill just do what I did, do what I do, to get to this opportunity, Gordon said.

I couldnt have done it by myself at all.

Being with the organization has been a blessing.

Im just continuing to be me and the fullest version of myself and let everything else happen as it may.

Injury report DaRon Holmes II, whos expected to miss the entire season after tearing his right Achilles tendon at Summer League, is the only Nuggets player listed on the injury report against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City will be without four players for the season-opener - Isaiah Hartenstein (left hand fracture), Nikola Topic (left knee surgery), Jaylin Williams (right hamstring strain) and Kenrich Williams (right knee surgery)..

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