NBA Trade Deadline 2018: The 20 best players available

5. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

In mid-December, the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Clippers appeared headed for an imminent teardown. One Lou Williams-fueled hot streak later, however, they have a much tougher decision on their hands heading into the trade deadline.

Complicating matters is DeAndre Jordan’s ability to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Him turning down his $24.1 million player option for 2018-19 isn’t necessarily a no-brainer given the lack of cap space around the league this summer, but the Clippers have to operate under the assumption that he will do so.

Are they willing to allocate more than half of the league’s salary cap to Jordan and Blake Griffin alone? How do they feel about the long-term upside of the Jordan-Griffin pairing now that Chris Paul is a Houston Rocket? Can that duo be the foundation of a championship team in today’s pace-and-space NBA, or is it time to retool around Griffin and rid themselves of the offensively limited Jordan?

If the Clippers can convince the Cleveland Cavaliers to part ways with the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected 2018 first-round pick in a Jordan deal, they’ll have to at least consider making such a move. Otherwise, keep an eye on the Milwaukee Bucks as a potential landing spot for Jordan, especially if they express a willingness to trade soon-to-be restricted free agent Jabari Parker.

Next: 4. Kemba Walker