If you told an avid NBA fan that the Cleveland Cavaliers would drastically retool their roster at the trade deadline, they’d probably assume the Cavs swung big and acquired DeAndre Jordan from the Los Angeles Clippers.
That didn’t happen on Thursday, though, nor did any team make a move for the Clippers big man. Despite months of trade rumors about everyone from the Cavs to the Toronto Raptors, who emerged hours before the deadline as suitors for Jordan.
Instead, the Clippers traded Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons last month and signed Lou Williams to a contract extension earlier this week. 3 p.m. ET came and went on Thursday, and Jordan remained on the roster.
Cleveland did trade with a team that plays home games at Staples Center, shipping off Isaiah Thomas to the Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance. They also made a three-team trade that, in part, sent Dwyane Wade back to the Miami Heat in return for George Hill and Rodney Hood.
One report that was floated Thursday said the team did have interest in Jordan, but once other deals for Hill, Clarkson, Nance and Hood got going the team was too far away from the assets they’d need to get Jordan to actually swing a deal.
The Cavs had conversations with the Clippers regarding DeAndre Jordan Thursday morning but by the time things got more serious, the Cavs already had more momentum on several other deals and liked the idea of adding more athleticism, youth and depth better.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 8, 2018
That certainly makes sense, but the Clippers did have other suitors for Jordan. Instead, it’s likely the Clippers let him hit free agency and possibly do a sign-and-trade with a team, similar to what happened with Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets last summer.
We’re a long way away from when Griffin wanted Jordan to be a “Clipper for life,” but unless he really likes playing with Lou Williams, it’s stilllikely Jordan will leave town. Just not as quickly as many expected.
