DeAndre Jordan Ditches Clippers, Is LA In Trouble?
By Damon Taylor
DeAndre Jordan spurns the Los Angeles Clippers to join the Dallas Mavericks.
Jordan’s contract with the Mavs is a four-year contract worth $80 million dollars. Unfortunately, the strikes keep on coming for the Clippers. Jordan’s former team just came off an abysmal collapse in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs.
Up 3-1, the Clippers needed just one win to stamp their ticket to the NBA Western Conference Finals. However, it’s the first to win 4 games and not 3.
Therefore, game 7 in Houston was a catastrophe for the Clippers as a franchise. After losing a 3-1 series lead to the Rockets, their season was over and it left uncertainty surrounding the Clippers defensive anchor as he ended the season an unrestricted free agent.
Unfortunately, after losing to the Rockets there were reports that Clippers star Chris Paul and now Mavs star DeAndre Jordan did not get along too well. That leads me to remind everyone that after the 2014 postseason exit to the Thunder, there were reports that Paul and Blake Griffin didn’t get along as well. Paul hoped to patch both relationships back together. Retaining Jordan was a huge key to winning the franchise’s first championship.
Awkwardly, the Clippers worse nightmare came true. Now, they are without a starting center and things could get worse for Clipper Nation.
Jordan recorded his best season in the 2014-15 season. He should have won Defensive Player of the Year in my opinion. Unfortunately, he came in third in voting for DPOY but was named to the All NBA defensive first team and all NBA 3rd team. He had a career year averaging 11.5 points per game, 15 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks per game.
May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) scores a basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In all honesty, replacing Jordan will not be easy for the Clippers. He made a huge contribution defensively by being the anchor. Yea, he only shot 40-percent from the free throw line but his defense undeniably overshadowed his dreadful offense.
In addition, there are a few moves the Clippers can make with their limited salary cap. This team is very talented and doesn’t need much. They still have two stars in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Also, they just signed Paul Pierce, traded for “Born Ready” Lance Stephenson and Austin Rivers will have another year under his belt after making positive steps in the playoffs. Therefore, they are not talentless; they just need to fill in a few roster spots
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As a matter of fact, there are a few free agent big men that are still available that the Clippers should consider signing. Notable free agents include Jordan Hill, Amare Stoudemire, Luis Scola, David West, Javale McGee and Greg Stiemsma just to name a few. McGee would be the best fit for this Clipper team going forward.
Like I stated before, the Clippers are still contenders in the Western Conference even with the loss of their star center. Furthermore, all they need is another big man that can make a slight impact every night on the court.
That shouldn’t be too hard to find. I full expect Doc to make numerous moves in the next few weeks to fill that void that Jordan left. Clipper Nation shouldn’t be worried. This team has loads of talent and a smart coach that knows how to maximize talent.