Fansided

20 things to look forward to this NBA offseason

By Bryan Toporek

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 21
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Does DeAndre Jordan stay with the Clippers?

DeAndre Jordan has yet to decide whether he’ll exercise his $24.1 million player option for the 2018-19 season. If he doesn’t, he’ll join Clint Capela as one of the top centers on the free-agent market.

While Jordan may have difficulty matching that $24.1 million salary next season if he does opt out, he may prefer the security of a long-term contract over a large short-term payday. Unfortunately, he doesn’t appear to have many viable landing spots outside of L.A.

Jordan was reportedly “in the ears of multiple Rockets players throughout the 2017-18 season, expressing his desire to play in his hometown,” according to Kelly Iko of Rockets Wire. But unless Jordan is willing to take a mammoth discount, which then convinces Houston to allow Clint Capela to walk as a restricted free agent, such a union isn’t likely.

Multiple league sources told The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor that the Dallas Mavericks will be hunting for a big man this summer after their failed Nerlens Noel experiment, which may put them in the running for Jordan.. But considering what happened the last time the Mavericks chased after him in free agency, that also seems unlikely. Besides, they’re far better off addressing that hole with the No. 5 pick in the draft. (Mo Bamba, anyone?)

Jordan’s best options likely boil down to either staying with the Clippers or joining the Lakers, as they’re one of the few teams with the cap space to sign him to a huge contract. He may have to wait out the free-agent decisions of LeBron James and Paul George before deciding upon his own future, but he figures to call L.A. home next year either way.

Next: 3. Will the Rockets give Chris Paul a five-year max?

Home/NBA