Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
DeAndre Jordan wants to be friends with Mark Cuban.
With the Dallas Mavericks’ officially ousted from the NBA playoffs, they’re free to start planning for yet another crucial offseason. Dirk Nowitzki is pushing 37, Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler are both free agents and the Rajon Rondo trade was bust. If the Mavericks plan on wedging open their title window again, they’ll have to be aggressive and get creative.
And perhaps sign DeAndre Jordan, who hearts them.
Per ESPN Dallas’ Tim MacMahon:
LaMarcus Aldridge buzz has started, but another potential Mavs prime summer target: DeAndre Jordan, who has made it known he's interested.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 29, 2015
It boggles my mind how a premier free agent playing for a title-chasing NBA team could let it be known that he’s interested in another one before his season is even over. That just feels wrong. It even seems impossible.
Like, how does that happen? Before a meeting between the Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers? Via Snapchat late one night? Is it casually mentioned in passing during an actual game?
Not that this concept is unbelievable. The Mavericks could use a rim protector other than the 32-year-old Chandler, and they need to start bringing in marque names to complement Dirk, not to mention validate the years of stopgaps and placeholders. They are flexible financially once again this summer and should have the necessary wiggle room to enter the conversation for top free agents.
The upshot, as always, is that it’s really difficult to poach big-time players in their prime unless they’re wholly unhappy with their current situation. The Clippers can offer Jordan more money and years than any other team, giving them an enormous advantage in the negotiating process.
Assuming they’re willing to pony up the necessary coin, the Clippers remain favorites to re-sign Jordan. If he’s actually communicated his interest in Dallas, it’s more likely than not just another rendition of free-agent posturing, where outside suitors are used as leverage against securing bigger deals from incumbent squads.
That’s the reality the Mavericks are facing, not just with Jordan, but with everyone. They have money to burn, and they have a reputation worth touting, but they are not immune from smokescreens and, in the end, will be hard-pressed to land a guy like Jordan.
