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One of the most coveted free agents this offseason is L.A. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. He is one of the few old-school centers remaining in the league, one who can defend the interior with tenacity and control the boards with reckless abandon. The highly athletic big man knows that he can get a better deal in the offseason and he wants to test the market.
During a season ticket holder event, Jerry West addressed the Blake Griffin trade, giving Lou Williams a contract extension while explaining how they tried to get Jordan an extension as well.
“The Clippers offered DeAndre [Jordan] an extension, so it is not like we were discarding him, period…He did not accept it, which is fine, and he now has an agent.”
The Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner talked about Jordan’s contract situation recently, and the center wasn’t bothered one bit about it.
“I don't think anything is too dramatic about it. It was a lot going on. But I just tried to keep my head and roll with whatever happened.”
He loves being a Clipper and he knows that his contract will take care of itself in due time.
“My name has been mentioned [in trades] for the past few years. So I'm not really tripping on that. I really don't give a [expletive] at this point. I'm just playing, man, staying locked into the game, playing as hard as I can for this organization because I love this team. And I love where we're at and the group of guys that I'm playing with, so that's what makes me happy.”
Based on his 2017-18 regular season performance, we know that Jordan is still in his prime. He averaged 12.0 points on 64.5% field goal shooting, 15.2 rebounds (second in the league), and 0.9 blocks per game.
Jordan’s days as a Clipper may or may not be over, but here are the possible landing spots next season for one of the best centers in the NBA today.
10. L.A. Clippers
Jordan loves L.A., and despite the exodus of several of his teammates in recent years for various reasons (Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, J.J. Reddick, Paul Pierce), the familiarity he has with the city and the organization may be enough to keep him in a Clippers uniform.
He’s been with the Clips for 10 years, and just the mere fact that he doesn’t have to move to another team to become accustomed to a new system could be enough to make him stay. Of course, that depends on what the Clippers have planned for the future.
The team is in rebuilding mode but Jordan could still fit into their plans. After all, they still have Williams, Tobias Harris, and Austin Rivers.
Frank Urbina of Hoops Hype has a proposal for how the two could work out a deal this summer:
“The Clippers could negotiate a Jordan re-signing at a more team-friendly price, too – one that benefits both player and club. Instead of paying him $24.1 million next year, they could agree to a three-year deal in the $45 million to $50 million range.
Jordan gets long-term security at a healthy price and Los Angeles keeps their franchise center while paying him an average-starter rate.”
That could work, but if Jordan can find better deals elsewhere, expect him to consider those first before considering the Clippers’ offer.
9. Sacramento Kings
Though the Kings need young blood, they’re not averse to signing a veteran to help improve their team. They’ve showed the money to a couple of veterans last summer by signing Vince Carter, George Hill (since traded to the Cavs), and Zach Randolph to lucrative deals. Jordan would be the fourth one but he’ll be the best among the lot.
He could team with Randolph for a frontcourt that could be a problem for some teams around the league. He could also be a pick-and-roll partner to up-and-comer De’Aaron Fox. It would be like playing with his former Clippers All-Star teammate once again, but with a point guard that he can mentor along the way.
He would also have some pretty good shooters waiting in the wings with Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
The Kings won’t be making a lot of noise next season and they won’t be making the playoffs anytime soon as well, but they have the cap space to sign Jordan and he may get a better deal from them than the Clippers.
8. New York Knicks
Going to the Knicks will give Jordan the spotlight he deserves with the bright lights of New York and Broadway. But, he may have to go through a lot of losing early until Kristaps Porzingis returns. The Unicorn suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year and will not be available to return until the middle of the 2018-19 season.
Though Enes Kanter currently mans the middle for the Knicks, he could opt out of his final year and become a free agent. That allows New York the opportunity to pursue Jordan in free agency to become their starting center. Porzingis may be 7-foot-3, but his more natural position is power forward.
With Jordan and Porzingis in their frontcourt, the Knicks would have one of the best interior defenses in the league. They also have the still-developing Tim Hardaway Jr. at the shooting guard spot. That’s a good looking threesome in the starting lineup if Jordan decides to come to the Big Apple.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers nearly got Jordan at the February 8 trade deadline but the deal became too complicated, which led to Cavs GM Koby Altman striking a much a different deal.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, “Altman had ownership approval to send the Clippers Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and the Cavs' 2018 first-round pick for Jordan.”
Though the Clippers were onboard for the trade, they didn’t want Shumpert, J.R. Smith, or Tristan Thompson. That’s when Altman decided to consider the Lakers' trade instead, which landed them Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.
It’s possible that Altman may be second-guessing his decision now, with Clarkson and Nance hardly making an impact in the playoffs.
Is there any doubt that DeAndre would have helped LeBron James and the Cavaliers’ bid to win the championship this season? After a grueling 7-game series versus the Pacers, James led the team in several categories, including rebounding. That’s a huge toll on the 15-year veteran, and Jordan could have lessened the load by taking charge of the Cavs’ interior defense and rebounding chores.
They can rectify that by clearing cap space this summer, renouncing the rights to some of their free agents, and then trading away some players. The most likely to say goodbye would be Thompson and Smith in order to make room for the Clippers’ big man, assuming they can find takers for these two.
The Cavs’ primary free-agent target is James, of course, who has every intention of opting out of his current contract to become a free agent. If he sees Jordan and Love as his frontcourt partners, that may entice James to take a second look at the roster and consider returning to Cleveland.
Though Jordan’s stats have slightly gone down, he’s sure to be rejuvenated by the presence of James on the team as he’ll be playing with one of the best passers in the league. Competing for a title will also be one incentive for Jordan to play for the Cavs after not getting within sniffing distance of the Finals with the Clips.
6. Dallas Mavericks
This should have happened three years ago but Chris Paul and company ruined it. Back in 2015, Jordan verbally agreed to sign with the Mavericks but his Clippers teammates harassed him into staying. Where are those dudes now? They’re either retired or on another team while DeAndre is still with the Clips.
Go figure.
If Dallas decides that the second time might be the charm, then they could conceivably try and discuss a deal with Jordan one more time with no one to derail this signing.
Hoops Habit’s Daniel Lubofsky thought about the possibility of finally seeing Jordan in a Mavericks uniform.
“Without many bona fide scoring options, coach Rick Carlisle might be inclined to give Jordan a larger offensive role than what he’s normally accustomed to, something the nine-year veteran has desperately craved.
“Pairing with Dennis Smith Jr. would give also Jordan a viable pick-and-roll partner, something the Clippers have lacked since Chris Paul was shipped to the Houston Rockets this past offseason.”
The Mavericks also have one of the top picks in the draft aside from the enigmatic Harrison Barnes and veteran Dirk Nowitzki to lure Jordan into signing with them.
A deal with Dallas is certainly one that will be high on Jordan’s priority list, but there are other deals he should be looking into.
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5. Los Angeles Lakers
If he wants to stay in L.A. without dealing with the Clippers organization, then playing for the Lakers should be a possibility that Jordan ponders.
Team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka are looking to field the best team possible next season. The Lakers have the salary cap space to sign a couple of free agents to max contracts in the offseason, but their primary targets are the Cavs’ James and the Thunder’s Paul George.
Signing those two won’t leave any room under the cap for Jordan, though.
However, there’s also the realistic chance that the Lakers would only be able to sign George, leaving the door wide open for Jordan to take the second free agent spot. He won’t be as expensive as signing James, giving the Lakers a bit more room to perhaps re-sign Julius Randle who is due for a huge payday after an NBA season which saw him improve as it wore on.
The Lakers' starting lineup would include two All-Star players along with a couple of potential All-Stars with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Randle in addition to Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma coming off the bench.
But, the Lakers could instead sign James and Jordan. That would make this team more dangerous. Imagine a frontcourt of James, Randle, and Jordan with the backcourt tandem of Ball and Ingram. It’s a very interesting mix of youth and veterans that would be competitive every night.
Hoops Habit’s Gil Alcaraz IV also considered the possibility that George may not sign with the Lakers, leaving Jordan an opportunity that he could snatch up.
He says that, “Magic Johnson could offer slightly more while pitching him on playing for a legitimate contender (once LeBron signs). It’ll depend on who gets involved in the bidding and if someone offers a max deal (likely), but it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Jordan to join the Lakers for less than the max.
That could even leave enough room under the cap to retain Randle. So, with the Lakers’ young core intact and Jordan in the mix, James would theoretically be intrigued.
Whether it’s George or James that the Lakers sign this summer, DeAndre will certainly find a Lakers offer intriguing enough to pick up the phone if they come calling.
4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are in the middle of the pack when it comes to cap space, but if they plan to move on from the Kawhi Leonard debacle and continue to be a relevant NBA super power, they need to make some deals. One of them could involve signing Jordan to a contract.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, Jordan may be tired of mediocrity and losing early in the postseason. By playing for the Spurs, he’ll be joined in the frontcourt with an All-Star power forward once again in LaMarcus Aldridge. That will relegate Pau Gasol to the bench as the back up to both Jordan and Aldridge.
If they find a trade partner for Leonard that gives them another All-Star in exchange, the Spurs will be back in business as a title contender. With Jordan in tow, the Spurs’ defense and rebounding will again be among the league’s best.
Staying in the West may be Jordan’s first priority, and if he values winning over money, he may want to seriously consider the Spurs. Among the Western Conference’s best teams, he fits best in San Antonio.
Playing for a terrific coach like Gregg Popovich could also help expand Jordan’s game to the next level. Pop could help the 30-year old center reach his potential. As much as he loves being mentored by Clippers coach Doc Rivers, he’ll be just as pleased playing for Popovich.
3. Washington Wizards
There are few backcourts as good as John Wall and Bradley Beal who can carry their team on a nightly basis. Otto Porter Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. are improving as a small forward duo that has the potential to get even better. But, as good as Marcin Gortat was, he’s on the decline and needs to be replaced.
Jordan can come in and take over the center position from Gortat. His defensive abilities will be highlighted with the Wizards, giving coach Scott Brooks the interior presence that he had with Serge Ibaka when he was still coaching the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He may not be the player that elevates them to championship contender status, but they will be very close. That depends on how comfortable Jordan can be in Brooks’ system. If they can milk more scoring from him, around 15 points per game ideally, he will be a huge upgrade at the center position.
A pick-and-roll between Wall and Jordan would be devastating, and with Beal waiting to shoot from the outside, this will be the best Wizards triumvirate since they had Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, and Antawn Jamison in the mid-2000’s.
The Wizards will need to clear cap room to get him and letting go of Gortat can move the needle, but they have more work to do to get Jordan.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
One of the teams that is just one missing piece away from contending for a championship is the Bucks. Milwaukee has one of the best young teams in the league and they would benefit greatly from adding Jordan.
Their late-season run to secure a playoff spot shows how determined they are to escape the mediocrity that has surrounded the team for several years.
In the playoffs, they took the second-seeded Boston Celtics to the brink of elimination by sending the first-round series to a Game 7. They nearly pulled off the upset, but the Celtics were too well-coached and the players stepped up in the absence of two of their stars. If DeAndre were in the lineup, they likely advance to the next round.
This is a team that could be greatly improved by the presence of the high-flying center who’s still one of the best defenders in the game.
Lubofsky thought about what having Jordan in a Bucks uniform would bring to Milwaukee.
“The Milwaukee Bucks, with one of the longest teams in the league, have the potential to become a great defensive team, capable of immense versatility.
“With Giannis Antetokounmpo owning arms that stretch 7’3″, Jabari Parker at 7’0″, and Khris Middleton at 6’10”, Milwaukee’s frontcourt seems impenetrable. Combine that with both Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon‘s 6’10” reach and the Bucks are a team built with an eye toward the future of the NBA.
“Adding DeAndre and his 7’6″ wingspan to the fold would give Milwaukee one of the most feared defenses in the league, capable of trapping every pick-and-roll with the ability to rotate and jump the passing lanes, igniting the one-man fast break that is The Greek Freak.”
Middleton, Antetokounmpo, and Jordan would be a nightmare for opposing defenses and an even bigger headache to score against. If Jordan wants to be a significant piece for a championship contender, the Bucks should be one of the teams he considers.
Of course, the Bucks need to clear cap space to accommodate him, but any sacrifices they need to make shouldn’t be too hard considering what they’ll be getting in return thwithe former All-Star.
1. Boston Celtics
The best team that DeAndre Jordan should want to sign with is the Boston Celtics.
They are already one of the best defensive teams in the league, and adding DeAndre would be the cherry on top. No team will be able to score against them with the big guy manning the center slot.
The biggest beneficiary of Jordan’s presence is Al Horford. Big Al is a good center, but his best position is the power forward spot. This frees him up to roam the perimeter to shoot from the outside and still be able to pound the ball inside with the best of them.
There’s also the returning Gordon Hayward, who would love to have a defensive center similar to Rudy Gobert from his time in Utah. Kyrie Irving, playing his second year next season after being acquired last summer in place of Isaiah Thomas, will finally have a legit center to play with.
The starting lineup next season with Jordan at the five position 4would be one of the best in the league. You have Irving at the point guard position, Jaylen Brown at shooting guard, Hayward at small forward, Horford at power forward, and Jordan at center. Then they have Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, and Jayson Tatum coming off the bench. That's a scary proposition.
If Jordan wants a championship ring, his best bet is to play with the Celtics who are sure to welcome him with open arms if GM and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge can do anything about their salary cap situation. If he signs with Boston, Jordan may even face former teammate Chris Paul, who now plays for the Houston Rockets, in the NBA Finals. Jordan would surely look forward to that Finals match-up, and so would Paul.
However, as the L.A. Times’ Turner noted, Jordan isn’t in a hurry to make a decision until the summer.
“I think I'm just going to hang out this summer and wait it out. I mean, it'll be a tough decision,” Jordan said. “I want to think about all my options and do what's best for me and my career and my family. But most important, like I always say, I want to be where I'm wanted. And wherever that is, that's hopefully where I'm going to be.”
Jordan may be patient, but NBA fans like us are the ones who can’t wait.
