DeAndre Jordan potentially entering free agency this summer (he has a $24 million player option), coupled with the Clippers’ general struggles so far this year, has made him a major trade target this season. The Clippers don’t seem sure they can keep him should he enter free agency and he’s easily their best chance to add assets in a trade.
While a deal to just anywhere isn’t possible, there are a few places like Cleveland and Milwaukee that seem the most likely landing spots should a trade for Jordan actually happen.
Cleveland seems to be the most likely destination for Jordan, though the compensation from the Cavs does seem undecided as of yet. Jordan’s name will likely be one of the biggest stars found in rumors as we near the Feb. 8 trade deadline, but fellow Clippers star Blake Griffin isn’t ready to see his frontcourt mate leave LA just yet.
Griffin is out with a concussion but he sat down with The Undefeated for a wide-ranging interview that covered a number of different topics, including what he’s said to DeAndre Jordan as his free agency nears and free agency looms. Griffin said that, while he knows this is Jordan’s decision to make, he wants him to be a “Clipper for life.”
This is his second time being in this situation. Before that he was a restricted free agent. Each time I’ve told him the same thing. He knows and he’ll know the exact same thing about how I feel about him and how much we want him to be here, to be a Clipper for life.
But at the end of the day, he has a family and he has to make the decision that is best for him. Whatever that is, I’ll support him. He’ll know how much we want him here.
Griffin himself has all but committed to the “Clipper for life” mantra when he re-signed with the team despite Chris Paul’s sign-and-trade to Houston. He is committed to making it work in LA despite what his teammates will do. But considering what happened the last time DeAndre Jordan was a free agent, it’s clear what he means to those still in Los Angeles. The question is whether Jordan still feels that way with his contract situation and if those now in charge of the Clippers in the front office see Jordan as the right man to pair with Griffin for the future.
