Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have been eliminated from the 2015 NBA playoffs, it’s time for them to join the other NBA teams that will be forced to look ahead to the summer. That process begins immediately with the Clips focusing on bringing back soon-to-be-free agent, DeAndre Jordan.
The big question, of course, is whether or not DJ wants to stay in L.A. There have already been rumors regarding his status with the team, what he’d cost and where else he could wind up. Los Angeles can offer him the most money and he is said to be seeking a max five-year, $100 million deal, but if a recent spat with Chris Paul (over free throws) can’t be smoothed over, it’s possible Jordan could be on his way out of town. Will he stay in California, head back home to Texas or go somewhere else, entirely?
Let’s take a look at DeAndre Jordan’s top potential suitors in free agency to find out:
Staying in L.A.
The Clippers can offer DJ the most cash, he’s third in the pecking order on a talented team and he was one win away from helping Los Angeles to their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in team history. Of course, there has been talk that a change of scenery could do him some good and if this rift with Paul is real, he could be looking for reasons to go elsewhere. But that may not mean he has to leave Los Angeles. That’s right, if DJ doesn’t want to return to the Clippers, he could just move over to the Lakers. The Lake Shows is trying to rebuild and if they want a quick fix at center, Jordan would certainly qualify.
Texas Bound
Jordan went to school at Texas A&M, so there has been logical chatter than he’d consider returning home to play for a Texas team. The Rockets have Dwight Howard so they’re out, but the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks could show interest. The Mavs are the real team to watch, though, as Tyson Chandler’s contract is up and the team could need an answer at the five spot. DJ could return home, keep a familiar role and continue to contend with a solid Mavs squad.
The Big Apple
If not L.A. or Dallas, why not New York? The Knicks are rebuilding much like the Lakers and they could use serious help anywhere. They’d prefer a quick rebuild and if they solidified the center spot for years to come (Jordan is just 26 years old), the rest could follow.
Other Options
The aforementioned locations are probably the front-runners to land DeAndre Jordan this summer. That being said, several other teams either could have a need for a new center very soon or already lack strength down low. The Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that could quickly be on the lookout for a center, depending on what they do with their current guys – Brook Lopez and Enes Kanter. The Milwaukee Bucks also could make a move at center with Larry Sanders falling off the face of the earth, while the Boston Celtics badly need an upgrade.
A few additional teams could show interest depending on how free agency and the draft map out, but for the most part we should already have a good idea as to what Jordan’s free agency picture is going to look like.
Decision Time
Going to rebuild spots like the Lakers and Knicks sounds interesting, but Jordan would be taking less money and he wouldn’t be winning like he is right now. I think the Mavs are a real possibility if he decides to leave, but ultimately I think the rift with CP3 is overblown and he returns to L.A. with the Clippers. That’s where the money is and over time he’ll realize Paul is just competitive and that his heart resides in Lob City, too.
Think DeAndre Jordan is on his way out of town? Let us know where he’s headed in the comments below!
