NBA rumors: Cavs interested in trading for DeAndre Jordan

USA Today

The L.A. Clippers are struggling with it starting to look like the team may be forced to rebuild in the post-Chris Paul era in Los Angeles. That being said, the team could be exploring the trade market to dump salaries with DeAndre Jordan potentially being the best suitor to be dealt before the NBA trade deadline.

It appears the Cleveland Cavaliers could be a viable trade partner for the Clippers in a potential blockbuster trade involving Jordan. The Cavs may be willing to move Tristan Thompson to Los Angeles in exchange for Jordan, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.

DeAndre Jordan’s numbers are down this season. He’s averaging 10.4 points and shooting .664 from the field (he only shoots twos). Even his blocks — 1.2 per game — are down from the 1.7 he averaged a year ago. Also, Jordan, 29, has a $24.1 million player’s option in his contract for next season. So, he could essentially be a rental. That said, you’re right, he’d thrive playing alongside LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas. Tristan Thompson was great against the Warriors in the Finals two seasons ago, and struggled mightily last year. A league source believes this move, Jordan for Thompson, is one the Cavs would consider. How the Brooklyn pick figured in remains to be seen (Cleveland also has its own No. 1 pick), but if the Cavs felt Jordan was the only piece missing for them to take down the Warriors they’d have to consider this.

It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out between these two teams. The Cavs are desperate to stay in contention in the Eastern Conference with LeBron James more than likely making his way to the door after the season to test NBA free agency. Acquiring Jordan could help the team on both ends of the floor and therefore help prolong LeBron’s time or at least the team’s chances of competing for a title this season.

As for the Clippers, if they decide to make this trade, it could signal the building of an extensive rebuilding process around superstar Blake Griffin.