Sir Charles in Charge
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LA Clippers: Examining the DeAndre Jordan trade market

By Jonathan Macri

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 17: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts to a call by officials during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on November 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Clippers 118-113 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 17: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts to a call by officials during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on November 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Clippers 118-113 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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WALTHAM, MA – JULY 5: New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (R) is introduced to the media by President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge July 5, 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stevens was hired away from Butler University where he led the Bulldogs to two back to back national championship game appearances in 2010, and 2011. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA – JULY 5: New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (R) is introduced to the media by President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge July 5, 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stevens was hired away from Butler University where he led the Bulldogs to two back to back national championship game appearances in 2010, and 2011. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) /

The Biggest Threat

One of those teams might be better than the Cavs right now without doing a damn thing. Boston will lose again this season – we think – but in the meantime they’ve laid out their formula for victory loud and clear: defend the hell out of teams with a bunch of guys who can toggle across three positions, keep it close, give it to Kyrie in the last five minutes, and get the hell out of his way.

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Putting aside what they’d have to give up to get him, adding Jordan to the fold moves Horford down a spot to his natural (and preferred) position, but also limits their flexibility on defense. Still, Brad Stevens is out here playing three-dimensional chess against opposing coaches. He’d seamlessly integrate DJ and stagger his and Horford’s minutes without breaking a sweat.

The Celtics currently play Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis a combined 30 minutes a night; replace those minutes with Jordan and the team jumps up a level. DeAndre also gets to play with a point guard who can feed him the ball.

Everybody wins…sort of.

Just like LA would demand the Nets’ pick from Cleveland, they’d surely ask for the Lakers/Kings pick from Boston. Even if the Clippers settled for getting their own lottery protected pick back from the Celtics plus the potentially juicy Memphis pick slowly making its way down the pipeline, there’s still the issue of matching salary.

Boston would need to sacrifice a lot of their depth to make a deal work. The three most expensive pieces they’d actually consider moving in a deal are Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart, and Baynes, yet those three only make about $14 million combined. They’d all need to be included for a deal to work, plus Boston would likely need to give up famed untouchable Terry Rozier or promising rookie Guerschon Yabusele.

All that, plus the pick, is a lot for a guy who won’t guarantee them a ring, especially for a franchise as well positioned for the next 5 years as any in the league. Let’s move on.