Feb 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) shoots in the first quarter against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
For the sake of the Los Angeles Clippers’ defense, they need to resign DeAndre Jordan. But if they’re unable to do so, the Dallas Mavericks are the frontrunners to get him.
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Leading the way in Dallas’ attempt to lure DeAndre Jordan away from L.A. is small forward Chandler Parsons, who has already made a name for himself as a recruiter. He played a fundamental role in recruiting Dwight Howard to the Houston Rockets in 2013, and he looks to be doing the same again with the Clippers’ All-Defensive first team star.
As Tim MacMahon of ESPN has reported, Parsons is looking to be a representative for the Mavericks in order to sway DeAndre Jordan into leaving L.A. to become Dallas’ new franchise center. As with Dirk Nowitzki at 37 years of age, they need to consider who will feature in their frontcourt for the future. And if they do sign Jordan, their current center Tyson Chandler is bound to leave.
MacMahon has said the following:
"The Dallas Mavericks are widely considered the likeliest team in the league to persuade free-agent center DeAndre Jordan to leave the Los Angeles Clippers, according to league sources… Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons, who regards himself to be Dallas’ lead recruiter on free agent matters, visited Jordan in Houston last weekend and traveled to Los Angeles immediately after Thursday’s draft to spend more time with the big man."
Another factor that increases the Mavericks’ chances of signing Jordan is that he’s represented by the same agent, Dan Fegan, as Chandler Parsons. And that may play a part in Jordan’s decision, and Parsons may be persuasive and active as a recruiter, but it’s not necessarily as simple as that.
First off, the Clippers can offer Jordan a five-year max contract of $109 million, which is $20 million more than any other team can. So at just 26 years of age, with many seasons left to make the kind of money to secure his future, $20 million is certainly going to be tempting for Jordan. Secondly, the Clippers are the team with a better chance of winning a championship this season.
Yes, they fell apart by losing their 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets, but with improvements being made to their 15th ranked defense already this offseason (in the form of Lance Stephenson and Branden Dawson), Jordan can continue what the Clippers are putting in place. And considering that the Mavericks have a major point guard situation with Rajon Rondo if he leaves as expected, their team faces a lot of uncertainty.
Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts to a call during the game against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sadly Dirk’s input is slowly declining as he played less than 30 minutes per game this season for the first time since his rookie year, they lack a top point guard, their leading scorer Monta Ellis (18.9 points per game) has opted out of his contract, and they’re coming off a season in which they secured just one playoff win before a first round elimination.
If it’s a shot at a title DeAndre Jordan wants, the Clippers still seem like the better choice. With the extra $20 million being a nice bonus as well.
His decision is yet to be seen, and he’s also being pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks as well. However, the Mavericks and Clippers are believed to be the frontrunners, which means DeAndre Jordan will need to decide what his motives are.
Continue with his big three counterparts Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in L.A., and hope Doc Rivers continues to add the support they need? Or try and emerge as the new franchise center in Dallas?
With Jordan’s defensive value to the Clippers, their superior talent and the additional money, it would be surprising to see him leave it all for the Mavericks — a team that offers little in the way of improvement, either financially or talent wise.