With Tyson Chandler heading to the Phoenix Suns on a four-year deal, the Dallas Mavericks are probably down to DeAndre Jordan as their only free agent target for the center position.
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Their presentation is expected to include a video touting Jordan’s career with the Clippers and the benefits of staying with the only National Basteball Association franchise he has known in his seven professional seasons. The Mavericks, and the other teams pursuing Jordan, would be able to offer him a maximum of four years and $80 million.
We now have a first glance at which franchises will vie for Jordan’s signature on a brand new contract.
Because Los Angeles is handicapped and have no cap space to sign a replacement for Jordan if he leaves in free agency, they would love to bring in Chandler as a temporary replacement. “But the free agency process is definitely going to be a fun one“, Jordan told United States of America TODAY Sports back in March.
DeAndre Jordan is seriously considering leaving the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency. The timing of the Lakers meeting is unclear. He added that Jordan has already received a call from Kobe Bryant and can expect to see a video presentation during his meeting with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and head coach Doc Rivers. Money-wise, a lot of it depends on whether or not Matthews and Jordan actually sign. He is also scheduled to meet Wednesday with the Lakers, Mavericks and Knicks, all of whom could offer Jordan a more prominent role in their offenses than a Clippers team heavily reliant on All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been long tied with recruiting a big man and Jordan is the third player that has been mentioned. Perhaps he wants a new experience.
Dallas hasn’t had the best of luck with big name unrestricted free agents in the past, but it sounds like they have as good a shot as anyone in the league at acquiring either one.
UPDATE: Adrian Wojnarowski says the Mavericks would look to do a sign-and-trade with Monta Ellis for Roy Hibbert.
Jordan has led the National Basteball Association in rebounding the past two seasons and is on a run of three straight seasons leading the league in field-goal accuracy.
The Knicks are also highly interested in signing Jordan. Jordan, 26, is from Texas.
While Jordan’s game seems predominately limited to rebounds and highlight reel dunks, the numbers he has put over the last two years speak for themselves. For starters, the Mavericks will need a couple wing players, as now the only true wings on the roster are Parsons and Anderson, but Devin Harris played plenty of backup shooting guard last season, as well.
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