Clippers Offseason Theories: Time to trade DeAndre Jordan?

To continue this short series of proposed ideas for the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2016 offseason, writer Tim Hiley will consider the question of whether or not DeAndre Jordan should be traded and who for.

Editor’s note: The question of what the Los Angeles Clippers should do this offseason has provided plenty of wild answers, ranging from blow everything up and go after Kevin Durant to do absolutely nothing. So, as we continue to address these theories one by one, let’s look at some ideas for trading DeAndre Jordan.

As much as the Clippers love Jordan’s high-flying presence, his passion, his dunks and everything he does defensively, if they got the right offer, they may consider a trade. Beyond any matters on the court and his fairly limited skill set, if the previous ‘issues’ between him and Chris Paul and the doubt that almost pushed him to the Dallas Mavericks last year are a concern in any way to the Clippers, they may prompt more thought of a trade.

When I first heard about these supposed issues between Jordan and Paul, I found it absolutely shocking. Outside of the game against Portland when Jordan didn’t put the ball back in and unintentionally allowed the game to go to overtime, I had seen no on-court indication that something was amiss. Rarely have I seen a point guard-center combination that is so in sync and so devastatingly deadly for opponents to deal with.

These reports seemed somewhat hard to believe, but there turned out to be truth in them, and even though Jordan returned to L.A. and resumed his deadly pairing with Paul, whispers of his ‘issues’ with the point guard have remained.

Obviously, Blake Griffin, being the top 10 talent and attraction that he is, would garner a heftier price tag than Jordan, but that price tag would rise if the NBA changes the infamous ‘Hack-A’ rule which exploits Jordan’s inability to convert from the free throw line.

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With that in mind, there are a number of teams who could become a potential trade partner to vie for Jordan’s services. If Doc is going to get on the phone and make some calls to see what he can get in return for Jordan, these could be worth his time.

Firstly, the Charlotte Hornets could base a deal around Al Jefferson, Nicolas Batum and (possibly, with a little luck for L.A.) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to L.A. for DeAndre Jordan, Jeff Green and C.J. Wilcox. Obviously, some sign-and trade-deals would have to be incorporated within that, with Batum, Jefferson and Green all on expiring deals.

But the frameworks of a trade exists, which would give the Clippers a center with a post game in Jefferson and two top wing defenders in Batum and Kidd-Gilchrist, with the former being an ideal shooter and passer to fix the two-way small forward problem. Meanwhile, the Hornets would benefit from having an elite rim protector in DeAndre to solidify their interior defense (something Jefferson cannot offer), plus the always-inconsistent (but talented) Green and a promising young shooter in Wilcox.

Of course, these are the flaws of the trade in comparison to the talent of Batum and MKG, not to mention the Hornets testing their options in free agency, hinting again at why trading Jordan for a solid return won’t be easy and isn’t necessarily the answer for the Clippers.

Another possible landing spot is Atlanta, who could deal Al Horford in a sign-and-trade with Kyle Korver for DeAndre Jordan. Of course, the possible interest for the Hawks here is that if Horford is ready to leave, a sign-and-trade allows them to get a sizeable return to avoid losing him for nothing.

This only works if Horford wants to leave Atlanta to try and win a championship and avoid LeBron James in the East. The Clippers would be able to space the floor far more effectively, would thrive with the mid-range shooting and passing duo of Griffin and Horford, and he’s one of the most sound defensive centers in the NBA. Korver should also flourish alongside such talent and Chris Paul.

For Atlanta, their already formidable defense could improve even further with a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Jordan, who would be a natural fit next to the smaller Paul Millsap (capable of covering the perimeter) and should receive a few more opportunities offensively as the Hawks don’t have two superstars like Paul and Griffin to control the ball.

Again, if the Hawks look for a sign-and-trade with Horford, just as has been rumored about the Thunder and Kevin Durant, this could pay off when Korver is the only other piece.

Apr 8, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) high five against the Miami Heat during the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The final (and more realistic) trade idea for DeAndre would be to trade him to Orlando for Nikola Vucevic and Ersan Ilyasova.

After years of not having a legitimate backup power forward, the Clippers thought they found the answer when they signed Josh Smith for a veteran’s minimum contract last year. But, unfortunately, it didn’t work out as he was played between the four and five, and when Griffin went down, the Clippers had to make do with small-ball and combo forwards like Paul Pierce and Jeff Green at the four.

So, to get a backup power forward, who can stretch the floor on a very nice contract with the exploding cap, is ideal. Plus, the Clippers would get one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference in Vucevic, who has averaged 16.2 points and 10.7 rebounds the last four years, and who could act as another post and mid-range option. At the same time, though, he’d be an immediate downgrade on defense, and a notable one at that.

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For the Magic, after seeing what incoming head coach Frank Vogel did with Roy Hibbert when he was in Indiana, the possibilities of working with a center like Jordan could have great results for this young Magic team searching for an identity.

However, is trading Jordan really going to do anything to take the Clippers to a new, title-winning level? It shakes up the team and Horford, if at all possible, would be an exciting addition. That can easily be seen as a reach for the Clippers, though, and any other trade that they can make to shift Jordan isn’t necessarily going to bring in a significant return or make up for his defense, given his limited offensive game when so many teams want to space the floor as much as possible.

Next: Clippers Offseason Theories: Trading Blake for new talent

So, until more discussion comes in the next episode to outline another option, it seems as though trading Jordan isn’t the answer, ruling out yet another Clippers offseason theory.