Aaron Gordon & Jabari Parker as potential Celtics free agent targets

Both Aaron Gordon and Jabari Parker were chosen in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft, with Parker taken second and Gordon fourth. They will be restricted free agents this summer. Jabari earns 6.8 million this year while Aaron collects 5.5 million.

Parker suffered two season-ending ACL injuries in the same knee, the first in his rookie year and the second early in 2017. He is back playing for the Bucks this season, averaging 20.8 MPG, 11.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 1.1 APG. He has looked healthy thus far but would be considered an injury risk for any team looking to acquire him.

Because of his injuries, he has never really had the chance to display his complete talents on the hardwood. He could be a difference-maker for a team but is certainly not considered a franchise player. I cannot envision Danny Ainge aggressively pursuing him in free agency.


I wrote previously about the Celtics possibly going after Gordon via trade. He is only 22 years old and a super-athletic 6'9"-6'10" specimen. This season, he is averaging 33.7 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.3 APG. He has improved significantly every season and may not have peaked yet.

Danny Ainge almost certainly had an interest in Aaron prior to the 2014 draft but saw him taken with the fourth pick, two spots ahead of the Celtics, who took Marcus Smart with the sixth pick. There may still be interested if the situation is right. Orlando has the option to match any offer, so it may come down to a sign-and-trade deal. Boston has a number of 6'7"-6'9" wings, possibly making the addition of Aaron a bit redundant, but Ainge may still have interest in Gordon if the right situation develops.

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Gordon photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Image
Parker photo via Aaron Gash/Associated Press