Sources: Jordan seeks 4-year deal, bigger role
Free agent DeAndre Jordan is likely looking to sign a four-year deal that allows him to opt out after three seasons, which would nullify the Los Angeles Clippers‘ advantage in keeping the center, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
The Clippers could offer Jordan a deal that includes a fifth year worth $27 million.
Sources, though, told ESPN that Jordan wants a bigger role in the offense and is tired of being a third wheel behind Chris Paul and Blake Griffin with the team.
Jordan will meet with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and the Clippers once free agency begins Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET, sources told ESPN.
Sources had told ESPN.com earlier this week that the Mavericks are considered the likeliest team to persuade Jordan to leave the Clippers, and a source close to the situation told ESPN on Tuesday that it’s “50/50” between the two teams.
Jordan finished first in the league in field goal percentage (.710) and rebounds per game (15.0) in 2014-15. He was the first player to do so in back-to-back seasons since Wilt Chamberlain in 1971-72 and 1972-73. Jordan’s field goal percentage was the second highest in NBA history behind Chamberlain’s .727 in 1972-73.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers made the case for Jordan to be named the Defensive Player of the Year for much of the season, but he finished third in the voting for the second consecutive season. The 26-year-old center was, however, named to the All-NBA third team for the first time in his career.
Jordan became the only player in NBA history to average at least 13 rebounds per game while shooting at least 70 percent from the field in a single postseason as the Clippers fell one win short of their first conference finals berth.
While Jordan averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game last season, he shot just 39.7 percent from the free throw line and is a career 41.7 percent shooter there. While “Hack-a-Jordan” has become a common practice for opponents, the Clippers are 12-0 during the regular season when Jordan attempts 14 or more free throws.
ESPN.com’s Arash Markazi contributed to this report.
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