Clippers trade rumors: What should Portland send LA for DeAndre Jordan?

DeAndre Jordan has been front and center of the most recent Clippers trade rumors. Now, a new team has emerged as Jordan’s potential landing spot.

Los Angeles Clippers‘ center DeAndre Jordan is one of the best rim protectors and finishers in the league. Jordan owns the NBA record for the best field goal percentage in a season and is the perfect key piece to add to any contending team. With the Clippers not really in title contention, Clippers trade rumors around Jordan have intensified.

I would go as far as to say that Jordan is the hottest commodity in the NBA trade market and may make or break a team making the finals. The biggest rumored potential landing spot is the Cleveland Cavaliers. A deal with the Cavaliers would cement their finals berth and would create a headache for the Golden State Warriors.

Other teams such as the Houston Rockets have also been in the mix for Jordan. However, with the Rockets unwilling to part ways with Clint Capela, that may never happen.

Entering the discussion, though, is a new potential landing spot. While they may not be proverbial title contenders, a move for Jordan can put them in the elite class. That team? The 25-22 Portland Trail Blazers.

Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Blazers have become of the teams to engage in talks with the Clippers for Jordan (h/t Chris Chavez of Sports Illustrated). Portland already has young, talented center Jusuf Nurkic, so this may be a bit of a surprise to some. With 10th overall pick Zach Collins, Portland is already pretty deep at center.

Neither of those guys makes as much as an impact as Jordan, though. With Jordan, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Blazers have something special on their hands. Although he does not fit the stretch-four mold that is necessary in today’s NBA, creating a frontcourt with Jordan at center and Nurkic at power forward would create problems for the small NBA teams of 2018.

It is an intriguing proposition to say the least. However, it does take two to tango, which raises the question; what should the Blazers send the Clippers for DeAndre Jordan?

The trade:

This trade is good for the Clippers for many reasons. First and foremost, they are securing their depth at center for years to come with two solid young guys; Meyers Leonard and Zach Collins. While neither has reached their full potential, they both were lottery selections and have a ton of upside in the right system.

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Jordan can opt out of his contract after this season anyway, so trading for two young guys to cement a secure future should be the Clippers’ first priority. Add in Ed Davis to get more depth this season and to open up cap space in the offseason. Throw in a first-round pick and the Clippers are actually getting a lot of talented youth in return.

For the Blazers, they get that one last piece in return for two guys with a future. Although they may want to hold on to their pieces, the future is not guaranteed with Lillard and McCollum.

Thus, the team must give them something that convinces the backcourt to stick around in Portland. A three-headed monster of Lillard, McCollum and Jordan may be enough to convince Jordan as well.

The Blazers would have a tough situation with Jordan and Nurkic, but as I said, they could simply run a huge lineup and simply out-rebound all of their foes. They can already stretch the floor with their backcourt, a stretch-four is not necessary.

Quite frankly, if the Clippers trade rumors around the Cavs do not come to fruition, this may be the next best move for Los Angeles. There is no need for Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas is on an expiring deal and that Nets’ draft pick may not be in play. With the Blazers, Los Angeles gets cap space and a bright future.

Next: Trade packages for Blake Griffin

Overall, the Clippers trade rumors around DeAndre Jordan should be taken seriously. Chances are that Jordan will indeed be dealt before the deadline hits. For now, it is just a matter of when and where.

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