DeAndre Jordan is one of the top free agents on the market this summer and the Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and LA Lakers are potential landing spots for the center, as he is looking for a bigger role moving forward and could sign a 4-year deal if he leaves the Clippers, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin behind for a new team.
Jordan is one of the top players in the NBA at his position and he is coming in after having one of the best seasons in his career. According to Chris Broussard at ESPN, Jordan is reportedly is deciding between the Dallas Mavericks and Clippers and he is "50-50" about where he wants to sign. Jordan is meeting with numerous teams and the Los Angeles Lakers also appear in the mix to try and sign him in free agency. The Lakers are reportedly going after Jordan and Aldridge and will try to clear out cap space to try and make it happen.
If Lakers miss out on either Jordan or Aldridge or both, the team likely will focus on other free agents, including players like Kevin Love, Greg Monroe and Wesley Matthews. According to Broussard, Jordan wants to sign a four year deal with an opt out after three seasons and the reports says that could "nullify the Clippers advantage in keeping him." The Clippers can offer a max deal to Jordan and earlier in the offseason an idea of a sign and trade was rumored with the Mavericks with Tyson Chandler.
Broussard writes that the Clippers are "hopeful" they can keep Jordan, as they can offer a fifth year at over $25 million. Sources reported to Broussard that Jordan is looking for a "bigger role" and doesn't want to be a "third wheel" behind Paul and Griffin anymore. The Mavericks could provide that, while the Knicks and Lakers also could be attractive for Jordan. The Clippers were eliminated in the playoffs and now Jordan is an unrestricted free agent and he has plenty of teams interested.
Jordan has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league and he led the NBA in rebounding this year. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas reports that sources have said that Jordan is "extremely interested" in signing with the Mavericks in the offseason. The Mavs already have Tyson Chandler, but if they let him go, they could look at replacing him with Jordan up front.
Check here for more on Jordan from ESPN and his free agent prospects.
Jordan has established himself as a max-type player and he could get that type of money on the market this summer. The Clippers can offer Jordan the most money, but there is a chance he could sign a short term deal like LeBron James to take advantage of the rising salary cap. Jordan averaged 15 rebounds per game this season and he also shot above 70 percent and was second in defensive player of the year voting.
Jordan actually got more votes for the award in first place, but Kawhi Leonard ended up winning the trophy. Jordan has improved his offensive game over the past two seasons and he should be one of the top targets on the free agent market this summer.
