Los Angeles Clippers rumors: DeAndre Jordan will get a max deal
When the Golden State Warriors signed Los Angeles Clippers’ center DeAndre Jordan to a four-year, $43 million offer sheet back in 2011, many were surprised. Jordan was a raw, young player who obviously had great athletic ability but wasn’t much of a basketball player. The Clippers, however, saw Jordan’s talent and matched the deal. They have since seen Jordan continue to get better and better.
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Now Jordan is entering the final year of his contract and could be a very hot commodity once he hits free agency in 2015.
Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com was asked about what kind of contract Jordan would get should he hit the open market.
"Hard to see a scenario where someone doesn’t max him out, given the value of centers."
Given what big men are paid now, Pelton is probably right. Jordan is a fantastic rebounder, a good shot-blocker and an improving scorer who takes high-quality shots – he led the league in field goal percentage last season. It would be a surprise if the Clippers didn’t keep Jordan, but it will take some effort to get far enough below the hard cap to do it.
Jordan averaged 10.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 67.6% from the field and 42.8% from the free throw line. In the postseason, he went for 9.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 0.9 steals and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 73.0% from the field and 43.4% from the free throw line. In his six-year career, he’s averaged 7.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 65.2% from the floor and 42.5% from the charity stripe.
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