If he decides to turn down his player option for 2018/19, DeAndre Jordan will enter this summer as one of the league’s most intriguing free agents and will likely have no shortage of suitors. No teams can offer Jordan as much money as his current team, the Clippers, but his steady defense and elite rebounding should interest several clubs.
Frank Urbina of HoopsHype examines Jordan’s potential trip through the open market and identifies four possible destinations. Even without Chris Paul, who was traded to the Rockets last offseason, Jordan enjoyed a solid season, averaging 12.0 PPG, 15.2 RPG, and 64.5% field goal percentage to go with a career-best 1.5 APG.
Among the possible teams, Urbina lists the Clippers, their hometown rival Lakers, plus the Knicks and Kings. The Lakers enter the offseason with major cap space that can be used on multiple free agents; the Knicks may have a season-long void in the frontcourt if Enes Kanter opts out and Kristaps Porzingis‘ ACL injury recovery lingers; and the Kings are rebuilding with money to spend.
Check out more Pacific Division notes below:
- Kevon Looney has been a solid player for the Warriors, but this past October, the team elected not to pick up his player option, so he could leave as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Warriors general manager Bob Myers admitted to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic (subscription required) that in hindsight, the team should have gone a different direction. “We didn’t know. We had to go on the information we had, which is not the information we have now,” Myers said. “Maybe in that circumstance, the cap factored in as far as having to be very conscious of every dollar and saying ‘Can we replace this player? Can we afford to pay him at this number?’ When we make any decision, we’re projecting. Sometimes we project correctly. Sometimes we project incorrectly.”
- With the Warriors set for a second-round series against the Pelicans, Ian Clark – who spent two seasons in Golden State – plans to use that experience to help his current team, William Guillory of NOLA.com writes. “It’s going to be fun,” Clark said. “Being in this position to compete against them is going to be fun. Obviously I know a lot of those guys’ tendencies, and I’m trying to help as much as possible to get the win.”
- We noted earlier today that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr listed Stephen Curry as questionable for Game 1 between the Pelicans and Warriors this Saturday. Curry has been out since late March with an MCL sprain.
The Warriors don’t matchup well with the Pelicans. Holiday and Rondo will be a handful for Klay and Curry since both can defend exceptionally off the ball and on the ball. Holiday can get his against Klay since he is quicker with the ball and Klay is a bit slow footed. Rondo can chase Curry around all game if he has to so Durant would be the only severe mismatch for NO. Davis will have his way with Green and Pachulia and Mirotic will make Green play defense and come out to the 3 point line. Ultimately I got the Warriors in 6 although I would much rather watch the Pelicans reach the West Finals.
Very logical take but let me slice it up a little bit.
Klay is an exceptional Defender and holiday will not be able to get his against him. He’ll score here and there with the switching and all that but in the last three to five minutes of the 4th quarter that ain’t happening.
Davis will score in bunches, of course against the various guys they throw at him but in the fourth quarter the last 3 to 5 minutes, Green guards him very very well. Green guards everyone very very well, whether it’s 7 foot LaMarcus Aldridge or whoever. Just watch. Don’t go by the 32 points Davis has in the game… just watch the end of the fourth and how green defends him.
Hard to tell how the series will wind up but I like your “warriors in 6” call.
Durant being a severe mismatch is the only thint that matters in ur little rant lol. its kd
I did say they’ll win in 6.
Deandre Jordan to the Mavs!
That headline is 3 years old.
No way I ask a girl to marry me now who dumped me at the altar 3 years ago for another guy. See ya later alligator.
Looney does play remarkable defense– against everyone. 22 with built-in shoulder pads. I would go 4/16. GSW could have had him for much less