NBA Free Agency 2018: 10 biggest player option decisions

4. DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan provides elite rim protection and high efficiency scoring around the rim. He is a perfect fit for a pick-and-roll offense. He is in an incredibly unique situation after his name swirled around trade deadline rumors to be shipped out of Los Angeles. Having traded Blake Griffin instead, the Clippers are currently in the midst of an overhaul to rebuild a team for the future without tanking.

At $24,195,025, a team’s willingness to pay any big more than that in a draft laden with front court talent creates a shaky market for Jordan. Entering the beginning of the end of his prime, interest in him is impacted by the fact he is a 29-year-old center seeking a max-level contact in a season where only nine teams can offer the max.

Unless Jordan receives a guarantee for a max contract before the deadline, Jordan likely opts-in if money is his main priority. Depending on how you evaluate Clint Capela, Jordan is either the best or second best big on the market this offseason (assuming he opts-out), but he’s unlikely to receive value higher from a team who can provide it. If happiness, the desire to win now or the need to leave L.A. surmounts the monetary benefit of staying, it is reasonable to see him opting-out. Accepting a smaller contract than originally desired may come at the sacrifice of either future earnings or the maximum number of years.