The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to get free agent DeAndre Jordan to have a last-second change-of-heart and return to the Clippers this season instead of joining the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
On July 5, multiple reports said that Jordan had agreed to sign a four-year, $80 million deal with the Mavericks.
With the NBA's moratorium period ending Thursday, July 9, free agents can officially begin signing contracts for their new deals.
It was assumed that Jordan was gone, but now he's reportedly having second thoughts and the Clippers will get to make a final push not to lose their biggest free agent at a meeting on Wednesday.
Stein reports:
Free agents are traditionally considered off limits once they strike a verbal agreement with a team during the NBA's annual moratorium period, but sources said that the Clippers have pushed to secure a meeting Wednesday in Houston for coach/team president Doc Rivers and possibly owner Steve Ballmer to make one last face-to-face pitch to Jordan in an attempt to convince him to walk away from the four-year, $80-plus million max deal he committed to with the Mavericks and instead stay with L.A.
Sources say that some Clippers players have been in contact in recent days as well with Jordan, who informed both teams of his decision last Friday and then flew to his offseason home in Houston.
ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz reported at the time of the initial agreement that there were tensions between Jordan and Chris Paul and that Jordan yearned for a bigger role on offense. Additionally, during their meetings, Jordan felt the Mavericks made him feel more wanted.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers now appears to be offering Jordan more of what he wants:
Piggyback off @ESPNSteinLine: Doc told DJ they didn't know he wanted bigger role. LA offering to hire big man coach & increase DJ's touches.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 8, 2015And the Clippers may have a shot if Jordan is second-guessing himself:
Source close to D.Jordan started having 2nd thoughts on leaving LAC early in week, source said. Loves LA, Team closeness. @ESPNSteinLine 1st
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 8, 2015This is a borderline unprecedented move in the NBA. Bobby Marks, a former assistant GM for the Brooklyn Nets, tweeted that this would create chaos among front offices:
Like baseball there are certain "unwritten rules" and this is a big violation of it. Once a player commits to another team you move on.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 8, 2015 If I was DAL management, I am flying to LA and placing a tent on DJ front lawn. Have the contract ready and let him sign at 9:01pm tonight
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 8, 2015Both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will reportedly be at the meeting:
Hearing Blake Griffin will be in Houston with Clippers to pitch DeAndre Jordan again.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 8, 2015 Sounds like Chris Paul will be there too according to a league source. Crazy turn of events.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 8, 2015The Clippers are in a desperate spot. They can offer Jordan a max contract because they have his Bird Rights. If Jordan leaves, however, the Clippers are over the salary cap and can't offer a big contract to any centers near Jordan's level as a replacement. They could try to trade for a center, but they have very few assets that would appeal to other teams.
Clippers players are aware of the sizeable hole Jordan would leave on the team. J.J. Redick said yesterday that the Clippers would get an 'F' this offseason for failing to re-sign Jordan, their biggest priority.
While it may seem petty for the Clippers to beg Jordan last minute after he agreed to a deal with the Mavs, Jordan could be the difference between championship contention and a bottom-four playoff seed for the Clippers. Championship windows are extremely tight, so if the Clippers feel they have a squad ready to compete for one if they bring back Jordan — beg away!
On the other hand, this would be disastrous for the Mavericks. Jordan was their prized pick-up this summer, a younger, more nimble version of Tyson Chandler, who they let go in free agency. If Jordan goes back to L.A., the Mavericks would virtually have no good options at center, as this late in free agency, the best players have all agreed to terms with other teams.
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