The Clippers would be extremely foolish to not trade DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Clippers have performed as many expected in the post-Chris Paul era. Now, it is imperative to part ways with center DeAndre Jordan.

The Los Angeles Clippers are a lot worse without Chris Paul, period. The team got deeper, paid Blake Griffin superstar money and gave him the role to go along with it. They have a world class coach in Doc Rivers (regardless of his criticism). They have a trendy owner with boatloads of money to throw at the organization.

Yet still, the Clippers cannot escape the overlapping shadow that is Chris Paul leaving the team. While Paul’s impact was well known, he became overlooked in his late Clipper years. Many, including myself, thought the team was better off without Paul. That the Houston Rockets would crumble with two alpha males in their backcourt.

That is not the case. Chris Paul has been reminding everyone how good and impactful he really is. The Los Angeles Clippers have had some bad injury luck sure, but have been disappointing, to say the least.

Now, the Clippers need to just bite the bullet and look towards the future. With Blake Griffin acting as the team’s only constant, it is imperative that the organization trades center DeAndre Jordan.

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report ran a great piece on the implications of trading Jordan and whether or not the Clippers should go down said path. Several great points and multiple trade scenarios are presented in the article.

The answer is simple. If the Clippers do not trade Jordan this season they are only failing their fan base. They are only setting up their organization for future struggles. In trading Jordan, the Clippers are sacrificing minimal success now for maximum success in the future.

First and foremost, trading Jordan allows the Clippers to go full tank mode in one of the last years that an NBA team can do that. Los Angeles owns their own draft pick and currently sit right in the middle of the pack. Without Jordan, the Clippers can commit to tanking, falling off multiple standing spots in the process.

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Thus, the Clippers guarantee themselves a top-five selection in the 2018 draft to land a stud; Marvin Bagley or Luka Doncic come to mind. This, of course, is without taking the Clippers’ trade return into consideration.

Los Angeles can get a great, overvalued return from Jordan by a title contending team. The Cleveland Cavaliers may be intrigued to send Tristan Thompson and the Nets’ unprotected pick. Washington can send Kelly Oubre Jr. and Marcin Gortat. Regardless, the Clippers are getting a solid return for Jordan.

If Jordan was locked up long-term I would understand the hesitation that comes with this deal. However, Jordan only has two more years under contract and can opt out as early as next offseason. The last thing the Clippers need is another Chris Paul situation by receiving far less than Jordan is worth.

Next: Trading Blake Griffin should not be ruled out

Thus, if Clipper fans are rooting for anything this season it should be the immediate trading of DeAndre Jordan. It only makes sense for the future of the organization.