Sources: Mavs likeliest to lure Jordan from L.A.
The Dallas Mavericks are widely considered the likeliest team in the league to persuade free-agent center DeAndre Jordan to leave the Los Angeles Clippers, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks are the team feared most by the Clippers even though Jordan is expected to meet with at least two more teams: the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons, who regards himself to be Dallas’ lead recruiter on free agent matters, visited Jordan in Houston last weekend and traveled to Los Angeles immediately after Thursday’s draft to spend more time with the big man.
Both Parsons and Jordan are represented by L.A.-based Relativity Sports and agent Dan Fegan. Parsons helped recruit Dwight Howard, another Fegan client, to Houston two years ago.
The Milwaukee Bucks, sources say, are also among teams hoping to get a meeting with Jordan, who was an All-NBA third team selection this past season after leading the league in both field goal percentage (71.3) and rebounding (15.0 per game).
But sources close to the situation said Sunday night that Jordan’s decision most likely will come down to the Clippers and the Mavericks.
The Mavs, sources say, are also on the list of teams who will be granted a sitdown early in free agency with All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who is known to be strongly weighing a move away from the Portland Trail Blazers despite the fact that Portland can offer a contract one year longer — and nearly $30 million richer — than any other Aldridge suitor.
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported earlier this week that the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the strongest threat to luring Aldridge out of Portland and that the Lakers have nudged ahead of the Mavericks on the list of potential destinations for the former Seagoville High School star.
If the Mavs are unsuccessful recruiting Jordan, sources say, they will attempt to re-sign veteran center Tyson Chandler.
Chandler, whom the Mavs did not re-sign after he played a critical role in their 2011 title run but reacquired in a trade with New York in June 2014, said Saturday night that he doesn’t take the team’s pursuit of Jordan personally.
“No, because business is business,” Chandler said before Dirk Nowitzki‘s annual charity baseball game in Frisco.
“And at the end of the day, I get it. The franchise [has] to make the best decision for the franchise. Of course, I still feel like I can go, still have a lot to give. But at the end of the day, I feel like I’ll make the best decision for myself and my family and the Mavericks will make the best decision for the organization.”
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