DeAndre Jordan elects to test free agency with Mavericks interested
The Dallas Mavericks are set to enter this offseason as one of the more active teams in free agency. Much of that chatter has seemingly been around their desire to bring aboard a proven presence in the frontcourt through the open market. According to Tim McMahon of ESPN, the Mavericks are believed to be centered on acquiring former All-Star center DeAndre Jordan.
The Dallas Mavericks have made center DeAndre Jordan their primary target as free agency nears, league sources told ESPN.
Read: Celtics GM Danny Ainge Says it’s ‘Unlikely’ They’ll Make a Blockbuster Trade
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Mavericks had pursued Jordan in free agency back in the summer of 2015. They had an agreement in place to bring him aboard. However, that was met with a last-minute change of mind as he chose to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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This time around, it looks like there is a more clear plan of action. The Clippers are potentially ready to part ways with the 29-year-old. It’s more feasible after trading veteran Austin Rivers to the Washington Wizards for center Marcin Gortat.
On Friday, Jordan decided to become an unrestricted free agent. In doing so, he bypasses the $24.1 million he was set to make with the Clippers during the 2018-19 NBA season. The Mavericks will be in hot pursuit once he’s officially a free agent this weekend. This information comes from Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The Mavericks will make DeAndre Jordan their top target in free agency after Jordan informed the Clippers that he will bypass next season's $24.1 million player option to become a free agent, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 29, 2018
It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out for Jordan as it may be highly unlikely that he makes $24 million or more next year with another team. However, his chances to compete for a title with long-term security may be what he’s after at this point in his career.
