The Clippers are going all in on blowing their core up and starting from scratch (except for Austin Rivers, because well… you know…).
After shaking the NBA world to its core with Monday’s blockbuster trade of Blake Griffin to Detroit, reports are now that they are gauging the market for their other two top players: DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams.
Sources: Clippers will continue to pursue packages of young players and picks in talks for DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
DeAndre Jordan is currently making $22.6 million this season and has a player option for $24.1 million next season that seems increasingly likely that he will opt out of in order to become an unrestricted free agent once again.
According to Broderick Turner of the LA Times, Jordan and the Clippers are nowhere near any extension at the moment:
“Recently, Jordan has had dinner with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer a couple of times to discuss his future and talked with the team a few times about an extension, but the sides are not close to an agreement. Jordan will earn $22.6 million this season and has a player option for $24.1 million next season.
“The trade deadline is coming up,” Jordan said. “I’ve heard my name in trade rumors the past three years. It is what it is. It’s a business sometimes. That’s what it is. When you think about it that way, your feelings don’t get involved too much.”
It feels pretty clear that the team is headed in a new direction and Jordan will be in another uniform in the coming weeks.
Williams is also in the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract signed in the summer of 2015 and is playing the best basketball of his NBA career, averaging 23.5 points, 5.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds.
Both are highly valuable pieces that could help a contender or a team trying to make the playoffs. Jordan with his rebounding and rim protection and Williams with his instant offense, which means the Clippers may be able to recoup the young players or 1st round picks they desire in return.
The Cavaliers feel like the destination for Jordan if they surrender Brooklyn’s 2018 1st round pick and there seem to be no shortage of teams who could or should be interested in Williams’s services for the remainder of the season.
Here is my list (in no order): Washington (Wall out 6 to 8 weeks), Philadelphia (another veteran for a playoff push for their young core), New Orleans (they could use a huge boost with DeMarcus Cousins out), and Denver (they badly need better guard and point guard play).
Don’t be surprised if the Clippers end up with four 1st round picks in this year’s NBA Draft and all of the cap space necessary to pursue major free agents this summer, I heard LeBron James and Paul George are fond of Los Angeles…
