The Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers are actively engaged in trade scenarios regarding DeAndre Jordan, according to New York Times’ Marc Stein.
The teams are working to get a deal done before the start of free agency on July 1.
Here’s more from Stein:
Jordan has a deadline of Friday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time to decide whether to invoke his player option for next season, which is valued at $24.1 million. If Jordan decides to opt in, Dallas can trade for him before free agency begins Sunday at 12:01 a.m., with the veteran swingman Wes Matthews and his $18.7 million contract likely to be the centerpiece of any offer.
If Jordan decides to pass on the option, Dallas would be forced to try to sign him in free agency. Other potential frontcourt targets for the Mavericks in that scenario include the All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans and the restricted free agent Clint Capela of the Houston Rockets.
In the summer of 2015, Jordan verbally committed to signing with the Mavericks in free agency, but changed his mind shortly before the moratorium period ended. He chose to stay in L.A. following a saga that took the league by storm. Head coach Doc Rivers, then-teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin each traveled to the center’s home, staying there until he re-signed with the Clippers. A dramatic episode to say the least.
Three years later Jordan once again has a chance to end up in Texas, the state he’s from and played college basketball. The 29-year-old averaged 12.0 points and a career-high 15.2 rebounds last season.
