In terms of sheer craziness, 2015's DeAndre Jordan-Dallas Mavericks debacle is surely up there, if not the clear-cut example of the unpredictability and insanity of NBA free agency.
After agreeing to terms on a four year, $80 million deal at the start of free agency, the 6-foot-11 athletic center quickly went dark only to resurface (on the day when contracts could be signed) in his Houston home flanked by several of his then-L.A. Clippers teammates and coach, ready to ink a deal to return and spurning the Big D. The entire ordeal was subjected to comedic Twitter posts rife with emoji battles between the players involved and some spectators (including Kobe Bryant himself) to even false reports about Mavericks owner Mark Cuban furiously driving around the area looking for Jordan all while texting for directions (as if Waze or GPS were technologies unavailable to the billionaire).
Four years later, and the two sides are back at the negotiating table. Jordan, now alone and the only remaining piece of what was once a title contender, opted out of the remaining year of said contract to give his verbal commitment to the Mavs. We've all seen this before and despite Jordan tweeting a cowboy — until there's pen to paper, anything can happen.
Fortunately, the former Texas A&M Aggie center honored his word this time around and officially became part of the “Boys in Blue.” When asked about why they made Jordan their top target once free agency started given their past history, Cuban says that winning is more important than holding grudges.
Mark Cuban on making up with DeAndre Jordan: pic.twitter.com/ZZKH2RZofY
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 7, 2018
Indeed, the perennial All-NBA Defensive Team member would be able to help the Mavs in a lot of ways from catching (and finishing) lobs to rebounding and rim protection. Just not free-throw shooting.
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