DeAndre Jordan had a breakout year for the Los Angeles Clippers that ended Sunday in a Game 7 loss that concluded a fiery postseason collapse for his team. This series may have marked the end of the Clippers' often exciting, but ultimately disappointing run with Jordan as part of their three-man core.
Because of his production, Jordan is expected to land a five-year, $100 million deal this offseason that the Clippers may not want to match. Coach and general manager Doc Rivers said the team plans on retaining Jordan and keeping the core intact.
Doc said re-signing DeAndre Jordan is the team's top offseason priority
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) May 17, 2015
On the other hand, Jordan's incredible rebounding and rim protection might have other teams drooling and willing to go over what the Clippers can afford. Here are three teams that are not the Clippers that might make a run for the NBA's leading dunker.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks fell short this season and have an opportunity to do some re-modeling. Tyson Chandler and Rajon Rondo are two expensive names coming off their books, and Jordan represents a younger, fresher version of Chandler. The Clippers big man doesn't exactly have Chandler's post defense chops, but he offers superior shot-blocking, a more valued trait in today's NBA.
He is also an advanced version of Chandler when it comes to finishing off of pick-and-rolls. Jordan won't help Dirk Nowitzki as far as offensive burdens go, but if Dallas can lock up Jordan quickly he might entice another star to join the club.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets might be a fit for DeAndre Jordan if they can find a suitor to take on Kenneth Faried's contract-and they should be able to if they shop him. Point guard Ty Lawson's tenure in Denver has been rocky at times, but he's an excellent point guard who could do serious damage if paired with a pick-and-roll monster like Jordan. These two would be terrifying for opposing defenses, and the Nuggets would become miles better defensively with a presence like Jordan's hovering near the rim.
Lawson may not be on Chris Paul's level, but his game should mesh with Jordan's just as well as Paul's did and a young nucleus like that could leave opponents in the dust routinely.
New York Knicks
The Knicks are pretty much a blank slate next season, and while Jordan doesn't figure to be a Triangle messiah, he's one of the biggest names on the market this offseason. If the Knicks aren't in love with the centers at the top of the draft, or somehow wind up unable to select Karl-Anthony Towns or Jabari Parker, a shot-blocking 11-and-15 player in his physical prime is a hell of a consolation prize.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
