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Rumor: DeAndre Jordan to hold FA meetings with four teams, Clippers included

By Trisity Miller

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If the Los Angeles Times is correct, the recruit for Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, unrestricted free agent, will come down to four teams: the Clippers, Mavericks, Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks.

"The officials said four teams will visit Jordan at home — the Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks.The Clippers can offer Jordan the most security."

Prior to the 2013-14 season, it would’ve been hard to imagine Jordan being a top-10 free agent alongside the likes of Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, and other marquee names that’ll draw a ton of attention this summer. But after a career-best season where Jordan showed improvements as a defensive anchor, averaged 11.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks and dominated statistically during Blake Griffin‘s injury absence, he’s emerged as one of the best defensive centers in the league with plenty room to improve, a.k.a. a player many teams would love to have.

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    • The mentioned teams make sense: Jordan could stand as Tyson Chandler‘s younger replacement in Dallas, playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki and under Rick Carlisle (Dallas is also close to where Jordan grew up), the Lakers would allow Jordan to stay in Los Angeles where he’s been since 2008 while helping what looks to be one of the best up-and-coming teams in the league (D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle is a solid core) grow closer to the playoffs, and in Milwuakee, Jordan would stand as the last line to an already great defense or in simpler terms, Larry Sanders‘ replacement.

    For the Clippers, its simple: a trio of Jordan-Blake Griffin-Chris Paul + an expected-to-be improved supporting cast puts the Clippers in position to (again) compete for a NBA championship.

    If Jordan’s free agency revolves around earning the most coin available to him, the Clippers are in luck as the Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for Los Angeles to offer Jordan a five-year deal opposed to a four-year deal by the other 29 teams — for DAJ, that could mean an extra $20 million onto his deal if signed for the full max.

    If Jordan’s free agency revolves around winning, it’s unlikely the Mavericks, Bucks or Lakers are a better team with Jordan than the Clippers have been with Jordan in the last three seasons. The Bucks and Celtics present the opportunity to feast in a weak Eastern Conference — though LeBron James stands as the final boss — but when it comes to competing for a championship, co-starring alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin would give the All-Defense First Team member his best chance.

    Of course, money and winning may not be the biggest factor in Jordan’s decision, and if not, the reported riffs between himself and superstar Chris Paul could play big in him deciding not to return to Los Angeles.

    Regardless of the bad, the decision is in Jordan’s hands and there’s little the Clippers can do to better persuade him up until this point.

    For those wondering, Jordan can announce his decision before but can’t officially sign with a team until July 1, when moratorium ends.

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