NBA Trade Rumors: Why Dealing DeAndre Jordan Could Make Sense for the Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers have reportedly explored trading Jordan in the past
The Los Angeles Clippers underwent a major makeover this past summer, and the franchise could benefit from shaking up the roster once again.
Before diving into what the Clippers could or should do next, it is important to remember how much they already did just a few months ago.
The Clippers dealt floor general Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets this offseason, and in return, they welcomed Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell to the team.
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Whether the Clippers are in a better or worse place in the wake of the blockbuster trade is still a matter to be resolved, but at least in the early going, they have shown that they can remain competitive even without their star point guard.
Blake Griffin has now taken full control of the team's offense and the results have been encouraging thus far.
Still, there may be a limit to what this team can achieve as currently constructed, with many analysts pegging them as a fringe playoff team in the loaded Western Conference. That is why it may make sense for them to explore making another move.
One possible move the Clippers could make as they seek to break through to the level of the NBA's elite is to trade center DeAndre Jordan, and this is even something the franchise has apparently considered before.
In a recent article, ESPN senior writer Zach Lowe noted that the Clippers have "explored" trades involving Jordan before.
While it may seem counterintuitive for a team looking to get better to trade one of their best players, there is a case to be made that the Clippers could be better off moving their star center.
Though Jordan remains as one of the top rebounders and rim-protectors in the league, his one-dimensional offensive game leaves a lot to be desired and his continuing struggles at the free throw line are not helping the team either.
To put it simply, Jordan is a good but fundamentally flawed player.
In a vacuum, having a player like Jordan on a team is a good thing, but the same is not necessarily true when his enormous cap hit – sitting at $22.6 million this season, per Spotrac – is factored into the equation.
The Clippers are not going to end up in the lottery where they can use a draft pick to select a high-upside and easily affordable player, leaving free agency and trading as the things they will have to utilize if they want to improve the roster.
Having Jordan's contract on the books significantly hampers the Clippers' ability to bring in any good players who are making big money themselves.
Trading Jordan either for another All-Star or just for players making less money will give the Clippers more flexibility and a better shot at becoming one of the true top teams in the league.
At the very least, trading Jordan and his big contract would give the Clippers more options as they seek to improve.
The Clippers have thought about trading Jordan before, and they may want to ponder the move again.
