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Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan talks Chris Paul, Blake Griffin free agency

By Tom West

Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the game against Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts during the game against Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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While enjoying himself at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Team USA, DeAndre Jordan has addressed the Los Angeles Clippers’ upcoming season and the free agency of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.

DeAndre Jordan isn’t thinking about much more than savouring the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics right now. From the narrow wins that really shouldn’t be narrow wins to cheering on Michael Phelps, Jordan has been consumed by the exuberant experience that is the greatest sporting event in the world in the colorful city of Rio. All you need to do to see that is take a glimpse at social media. His Los Angeles Clippers, let alone his teammate’s free agency a year from now, are hardly pressing matters at the moment.

Yet, that wasn’t enough to prevent from such matters coming up. During an interview with Michael Lee of The Vertical, Jordan touched on a range of topics, focusing heavily on his relationship with one of his best friends, Kevin Durant.

Jordan also discussed an issue that the Clippers can’t avoid, though, and addressed the looming free agency (if they both opt out with their player options) of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

As any teammate should say, Jordan stressed that the decision all comes down to Paul and Griffin and their families:

"“They’re both extremely talented players. I believe whatever decision they make is going to be a great decision. I’m not worried about it right now. I don’t expect it to be a distraction during the season. I can’t speak for them, but at the end of the day, they’ve got to make the best decision for themselves and their families. Whatever happens, happens.”"

Jordan also said to Lee that there’s no added pressure for the Clippers to win next season, despite the upcoming free agency of Paul and Griffin.

No one can know what the future holds for them and not even the two superstars themselves will know what they’ll want to do in a year’s time and where they may sign, or re-sign.

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The Clippers’ front office will be praying for the latter. No matter what Jordan says and how the players feel, it’s hard to see that Doc Rivers and Co. won’t be feeling an extra spark of pressure and incentive to win when keeping the team’s two best players could be on the line.

Without more playoff success, and without that illusive trip to the Western Conference Finals now that the Clippers could genuinely be the West’s second best team, Paul and Griffin only have more reasoning to try their luck elsewhere. They may both want to stay put, or at least one may be happy in L.A. going forward. But we can’t know that, and Paul in particular has to consider the remaining years of his career and weigh up his championship chances as retirement slowly lingers in the future for him at 31 years old.

Now, we wait. We wait for what should still be a gold medal for Team USA, despite the poor roster construction and weak defense. We wait to see whether the Clippers can come close to the Golden State Warriors out West.

Next: Breaking down Clippers' 5 best games of October, November

Comments downplaying the season’s magnitude aside, we know it’s a critical one for the Clippers.

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