The Dallas Mavericks are expected to be active this offseason after being eliminated in the playoffs by the Rockets, as reports have LaMarcus Aldridge as a potential free agent option, while DeAndre Jordan is also a top target and there is a chance the Mavs could explore a sign and trade deal with Jordan involving Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton going to the Clippers.
The Mavericks reportedly have heavy interest in signing Jordan as a free agent and Jordan wants to come to Dallas, but it may not be as simple as that. Jordan is coming off of a career season and he likely will want a max contract and that could put the Mavericks and Clippers into trade talks. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Mavs and Clippers could look at a "sign-and-trade swap" this offseason with Jordan heading to Dallas for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. MacMahon writes that the Mavs have no issue giving up Chandler, but they will "insist" that the Clippers take Felton if a deal goes down.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that both teams have positives with a deal like this, as the Clippers will need to replace Jordan and they may not be able to sign a suitable replacement on the market this summer. Felton would be a throw-in part of the deal for the Mavericks and it would be the second time that he has been traded with Chandler if a deal happens. While this is no lock to go down, MacMahon wrote earlier in the season that Jordan has "made it clear through back channels" that he is "interested" in Dallas.
The Clippers could be open to making a deal to ensure that they get something for a player leaving in free agency anyway, and doing this would also give Jordan the chance to sign a max contract. Jordan is 26 years old and Chandler is past his prime at 32, but the Clippers likely wouldn't mind getting a center like him over getting nothing if Jordan leaves as a free agent. Arash Markazi of ESPN reported during the season that the Clippers are planning to offer Jordan a max contract, so if he wants to go to Dallas, it won't be because the Clipper are lowballing him on a deal.
The Clippers can offer Jordan a deal for five years that should be around $105 million, while other teams can give him four years and $80 million, according to Pro Basketball Talk. This season Jordan averaged 11 points and 15 rebounds per game, both of which were career highs after he averaged 10 points and 13 rebounds last season.
The Mavericks move for Rajon Rondo did not work out at all and with Felton not having done anything special after his move from the Knicks, the team could look at getting moving him and starting fresh at PG. Rondo was acquired for first round picks and Mark Cuban may want to try and strike now with Jordan and a number of other players hitting the market. The Mavs are considered an attractive option for free agents and the team also could go after names like Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic on the market if they miss out on Aldridge.
