There’s a short list of players set to become free agents this summer that could potentially have a major impact if they decide to head elsewhere. One of those players could be DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Jordan is making a strong case for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award this season and his success on the floor couldn’t come at a better time for the veteran center. Jordan will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and might be looking for a max deal after a career year.
The veteran center recently talked about his pending free agency saying the following about his current situation in Los Angeles, via Sam Amick of USA Today:
“I mean I’ve obviously been here seven years, and the past two have been great,” he said. “Doc (Clippers coach Doc Rivers) has been my biggest supporter and the best coach I’ve ever had. The team is great. The guys are great. We have great camaraderie. But the free agency process is definitely going to be a fun one.”
In 68 games this season, Jordan is averaging a career-high 11.3 points per game to go along with 14.7 rebounds (league-high) and 2.2 blocks per contest. These stats will merit a lucrative contract for Jordan in the off-season, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be get a max offer from the Clippers.
If the Clippers aren’t willing to offer a max deal to Jordan, due to having already committed to Blake Griffin and Chris Paul long-term, the Los Angeles Lakers could swoop in with an offer of their own. The Lakers will have the ability to offer the max and could use a rim protector of Jordan’s caliber.
As of right now, the Lakers are rumored to be interested in Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Marc Gasol and Kevin Love with free agency only a few months away. All these players, with the exception of Love, will become unrestricted free agents this summer. Love has a player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but could elect to become a free agent.
Although the Lakers haven’t been mentioned as suitors for Jordan, the center could end up getting a call from the storied franchise this summer. It’ll be interesting to see what the market for Jordan will be, but it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see one or two teams around the league willing to offer a max contract.
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