Would the Cleveland Cavaliers consider dangling Tristan Thompson in a trade for DeAndre Jordan?
At least one NBA source believes they would.
As Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon wrote while responding to a mailbag question:
Hey, @jeneraljosh: DeAndre Jordan’s numbers are down this season. He’s averaging 10.4 points and shooting .664 from the field (he only shoots twos). Even his blocks — 1.2 per game — are down from the 1.7 he averaged a year ago. Also, Jordan, 29, has a $24.1 million player’s option in his contract for next season. So, he could essentially be a rental. That said, you’re right, he’d thrive playing alongside LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas. Tristan Thompson was great against the Warriors in the Finals two seasons ago, and struggled mightily last year. A league source believes this move, Jordan for Thompson, is one the Cavs would consider. How the Brooklyn pick figured in remains to be seen (Cleveland also has its own No. 1 pick), but if the Cavs felt Jordan was the only piece missing for them to take down the Warriors they’d have to consider this.
There’s no scenario in which the Cavaliers are giving up that Brooklyn Nets pick for DeAndre Jordan. Even if LeBron James guaranteed his return, it would make little sense. Jordan turns 30 in July, when he will be a free agent. The Cavaliers would have to believe, as Vardon notes, he’s the asset that successfully bridges the gap between them and the Golden State Warriors—and he’s not.
Does Jordan help against the Warriors? Maybe. He doesn’t fall under the like-sized player category that has made Golden State so switchy and, thus, difficult to play against. But he’s pretty mobile in space for someone his size.
Still, the Nets pick is a steep price tag. Hell, even Tristan Thompson could be considered a steep price tag. He has two years and $36.1 million left on his contract after 2017-18 and doesn’t turn 27 until March, whereas the Cavaliers would potentially need to invest near-max money in an aging Jordan just a few months into their marriage.
