After an admittedly odd day in the NBA, rumors are swirling regarding the LA Clippers and the availability of center DeAndre Jordan.
As the NBA draft approaches, several teams have engaged in trade talks, with both the Lakers and Hawks sending away their respective stars in a pair of blockbuster trades. While general managers across the league continue to hone their persuasive skills while clawing at the opposition’s talent, the LA Clippers have opted to stand pat, or have they?
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, LA is actively shopping All Star center DeAndre Jordan.
ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Clippers surveying landscape for potential DeAndre Jordan trade. https://t.co/2MuTa757uS
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 21, 2017
This comes as somewhat of a surprise as Doc Rivers, the team’s President of basketball operations, told USA Today Sports during this year’s playoffs that he preferred to keep his core roster intact.
"“Let’s say we don’t win this year — which I think we will, (but) let’s say we don’t. Do you give up on a 50-win team that has proven that they’re really close (to winning it all), or do you hang in there and keep trying to maybe make changes around (the core)?”"
Haynes also claimed that sources have reported that the Clippers contacted the Phoenix Suns in regards to a Jordan trade, with their asking price being the team’s number four overall selection in this year’s draft.
There may be some validity to these reports, as the newly hired Jerry West may want to make a splash upon his arrival in the Clippers front office.
RELATED STORY: LA Clippers officially announce hiring of Jerry West
However, conflicting reports have also surfaced claiming that the DJ trade rumors were completely false.
Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times tweeted that the Clippers are not in fact including Jordan in trade talks, and that no deals have been discussed or put into place.
Clippers are not actively looking to trade center DeAndre Jordan, team officials said. No deal has been talked about or is in place
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 21, 2017
There is no doubt that rumors will continue to surround LA as the draft approaches, with today being an especially weird day in the NBA.
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