DeAndre Jordan has grown into being one of the most crucial members of the Los Angeles Clippers. With that comes the expectation that he will get a solid pay raise once his contract expires at the end of the season. At the moment, Jordan has not negotiated an extension with the team and will likely hit free agency in 2015. Will he remain in Los Angeles or could Jordan take his skills elsewhere?
According to most of the members of the Los Angeles Clippers, Jordan is the x-factor to winning a championship. While Chris Paul and Blake Griffin get all of the media attention, it is Jordan's skillset that could carry them through the season. Currently in a contract season, being the x-factor for a team should help him get a nice raise, but will it be with the Clippers? Jordan is hopeful he gets to stick around.
"Doc, and he knows this, has changed my career from whatever it was to whatever it is now and into whatever it's going to be," Jordan said, via the Orange County Register. "I owe him a lot. He gave me a chance without even knowing me as a person or as a player to be on this team and to be a piece. I feel like I owe him a lot for believing in me before we even had one practice or one conversation."
According to Jordan, this is just another season for him. The center is finishing up a four-year, $43 million season and will certainly have the attention of every team in the league should he become available. Jordan is the total package, capable of running the floor, rebounding and creating shots. With a championship the priority for the Clippers, there is concern that the contract status will distract Jordan from contributing, something he denies.
"It's just another season. I don't want to think about it like that," Jordan said. "I don't think about it like that."
If the Clippers cannot come to terms on a new deal, there are plenty of landing spots for Jordan. The New York Knicks will be a frontrunner considering they losing Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani. The Indiana Pacers could be interested depending on the future of Roy Hibbert. The Los Angeles Lakers will also be involved once Carols Boozer exits.
