Apr 13, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers talks with center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Clippers won 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
With free agency about to begin, DeAndre Jordan has four meetings scheduled. The Los Angeles Clippers, however, will need to wait till last to pitch to their All-NBA third team center in an attempt to re-sign him.
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In addition to his Clippers, Jordan has meetings this week with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. So whilst it seems surprising to think that Jordan would want to leave such a good situation in L.A. (the memory of the collapse against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs aside), it’s clear that Jordan is at least considering moving to another team.
The Clippers can offer Jordan two All-NBA teammates in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the league’s best offense (109.8 points scored per 100 possessions this year), a loyal coach in Doc Rivers, the general luxury of Los Angeles and even an extra $20 million. And in regards to their weak second unit, that issue is gradually being addressed with the likes of Lance Stephenson and rookie Branden Dawson.
Of course there’s more work to do, but the Clippers are slowly improving. And once they sign a new starting small forward (Paul Pierce is still a possibility), they should be on their way to a better season.
DeAndre Jordan scheduled to meet with Dallas, Lakers, Knicks, all on Wednesday, sources. DJ will meet Clippers last on Thursday.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 29, 2015
Each team interested in Jordan has already attempted to recruit him by using their star player on a player-to-player basis. Ben Bolch and Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times have reported that Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Chandler Parsons have all pitched their respective teams to Jordan. Have they had any success in doing so? At this stage, we can’t be sure.
Clippers' pitch meeting with DeAndre Jordan is scheduled for July 2 in L.A. Doc Rivers, Steve Ballmer expected to attend & show video.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) June 29, 2015
So, in terms of DeAndre Jordan’s offseason meetings, how can their order be detrimental or beneficial to the Clippers?
If another team are able to make an excellent pitch to entice Jordan before he gets to see the Clippers, maybe he’ll be entering his meeting with Doc Rivers and Steve Ballmer with doubts in his mind. On the other hand, seeing the Clippers last will leave their pitch fresh in Jordan’s mind as he lulls over his options. And more to the point, the Clippers have a chance to see what other teams have discussed with Jordan (if he’s willing to discuss them) in order to emphasize why he should choose them over anyone else.
However this week turns out for Jordan, though, the order of the meetings could be both good or bad for the Clippers. Equally, it could bare no relevance to his decision at all. That’s the confused situation we’re left in as people who don’t get to be a fly on the wall during those pitches.
We’ll need to wait and see if any more developments on the situation are announced this week, although it may be just a few days till we know Jordan’s final decision. And if the Clippers don’t want to let him go in order to keep their interior defense alive, Steve Ballmer had better put together a damn good video.
Next: The Clippers don't have long to decide Jamal Crawford's future