NBA Free agency 2015: DeAndre Jordan likely to sign with Mavericks, per report
The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of signing coveted free-agent center DeAndre Jordan, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Dallas has extended a max deal to Jordan at four years and $80 million. Stein reports that a deal could come on Friday, with Jordan trying to decide between his current team in the Los Angeles Clippers and the Mavericks.
ESPN sources say DeAndre Jordan is on verge of accepting Mavs' four-year, $80M+ max offer. Dallas firmly in lead and decision likely today
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 3, 2015
Dallas owner Mark Cuban has been busy in free agency, landing a meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge while also agreeing to terms with guard Wesley Matthews. The Mavericks did lose center Tyson Chandler on a four-year, $52 million deal to the Phoenix Suns earlier in the week, but landing Jordan would more than make up for Chandler’s departure.
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Should Jordan sign with Dallas, this would be a devastating blow to Los Angeles. The Clippers are built around the interior presence of Jordan, who protects the rim as well as anybody in today’s game. Without him, Los Angeles is a small team relying on massive contributions from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. In other words, the championship window would likely be slamming shut on Doc Rivers’ fingers.
Dallas would become a legitimate contender in the West with Jordan. The Mavericks are likely to lose Monta Ellis, but still have Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowtizki. Dallas wouldn’t be on the same level as the San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors, but head coach Rick Carlisle might be able to scheme his way deep into a series against either opponent.
Keep it right here for all the continuous news and notes on this Friday in what promises to be a crazy day in the NBA.