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LA Clippers: Should DeAndre Jordan be shopped at the NBA Trade Deadline?

By Michael Saenz

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers dunks past Jon Leuer #30 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Staples Center on October 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers dunks past Jon Leuer #30 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Staples Center on October 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Should the LA Clippers shop DeAndre Jordan ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline?

The LA Clippers have a huge decision to make about their future over the next few months. And it revolves around DeAndre Jordan, who likely will exercise his option after this season.

It’s a question that was brought up by ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who notes that signing Jordan to a big contract number, one that he will likely easily get this summer on the open market, will make it extremely difficult for the Clippers to make additional improvements via free agency (which is their MO).

Essentially, the Clippers likely will need to decide between paying Jordan and chasing a big name free agent this summer.

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If they elect to live with a bit more flexibility heading into a star-studded summer in 2018, then perhaps the team needs to discuss the possibility of moving DeAndre Jordan ahead of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline.

"[via ESPN]The most pressing question: What to do with Jordan, who can hit free agency this summer? Re-sign him for $25 million or more, and the Clippers could have $60-70 million devoted to two big men in the summers of 2019 and 2020 — moments they have targeted to strike in free agency. They’d have to strip the roster bare to (maybe) carve out max space for that elusive star free agent."

Lowe interestingly noted that the Clippers discussed trading Jordan to the Houston Rockets (for Clint Capela and other pieces) at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline. Evidently, they didn’t pull the trigger. But they could be faced with the same discussion – and decision – again this season.

But has anything really changes that would sway their decision this season? Possibly. Chris Paul is no longer with the team, and it would likely be easier to re-sign Jordan than it would be to attract another star without Paul’s presence as a recruiter.

Then again, Los Angeles often sells itself.

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The LA Clippers are at a bit of a crossroads, and what they do over the course of the next few months could determine what this team will look like over the next few years. Perhaps the biggest decision that needs to be made: Should the LA Clippers trade DeAndre Jordan or re-sign him?