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LA Clippers: Making the case for keeping DeAndre Jordan

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 22: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 22: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NBA Trade Rumors: Taking a look at why the LA Clippers should not trade DeAndre Jordan despite leaguewide interest from several teams

LA Clippers big DeAndre Jordan is one of the best centers in the league. Jordan makes a huge impact defensively and on the boards; he won’t get you a bucket offensively, but he is always a threat to throw down a big dunk off an alley-oop.

Jordan also consistently leads the NBA in field goal percentage. He has the highest career field goal percentage at 67.4%.

Jordan’s value is not just recognized by the fans, but by the NBA too. Jordan has been selected on to an All-NBA team three times, including an All-NBA first team in 2016. Not to mention his two all-defensive team selection in 2015 and 2016.

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It’s clear that Jordan is a top player at his position and in this league, which is why several teams are interested in him. The Clippers are in a funky rebuild/retool stage. In the offseason, they traded away Chris Paul when he made it clear that he was going to leave. In return, they received several role players and a starter in Beverley. The Clippers also went out and signed PG Milos Teodosic from overseas and acquired SF/PF Danilo Gallinari through a sign-and-trade.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, the injury bug struck them again which led to Jordan’s name being in the rumor mill. Every single starter for the Clippers this season has missed time, including Jordan. The injuries started with PG Milos Teodosic who suffered a foot injury just two games into the season. Teodosic finally made his return on December 12th, after missing seven weeks.

Teodosic was not the only guard to get injured, however. Patrick Beverley who was acquired in the trade for Chris Paul also suffered an injury. Beverley had missed some games due to a sore right knee, he was able to return but it was shortlived. Following his return, it was reported Beverley had reaggravated the injury and would be out for a while. Hours later, it was announced that Beverley would be having season-ending surgery.

The Clippers other acquisition in the off-season would not escape the injury bug either. Gallinari who has known to be injury prone suffered a left glute strain in early November. Gallinari would return to the lineup a month later but only played two games before being encountering a setback. After missing several more games after returning, it was announced that Gallinari had a partial tear in his glute. This injury has kept him will keep him out until early February.

Throughout these injuries, you would think at least Blake Griffin is not injured right? Well, wrong. Griffin had remained injury free up until November 27th. In a game against the Lakers, Austin Rivers went to collect a loose ball but ran ended up running into Griffin’s leg which bent in horrifyingly. Griffin’s injury, fortunately, was just an MCL sprain which would keep him out at most 8 weeks. Griffin would end up making his return on December 27th against the Lakers who he ironically had suffered the injury against five weeks earlier.

Through these injuries, many wondered if Jordan became expendable. Jordan can opt out of his contract after this season. The Clippers began to fear the possibility of potentially losing Jordan for nothing. That is when the calls came in for Jordan, several teams around the league have shown interest in the big man. Eastern Conference contenders such as the Cavaliers, Wizards, and Bucks had shown the most interest.

Despite all of this interest, it would be best for the Clippers to hold on to Jordan. Jordan is averaging 11.1 PPG and a career-high 15.1 RPG. His best value comes as a rim protector. Jordan may only average 1.1 BPG, but there is no question he is the defensive anchor of this Clippers team. The on/off court stats do not favor Jordan since he was forced to play with backups due to many injuries. However, if you take a look back to the 2016-17 season, you can see that the Clippers are -5 points worse with Jordan off the court.

The Clippers are starting to get their starters back one by one, with Griffin and Teodosic back and Gallinari set to return soon. The Clippers pre-mature panic has hit a halt, as they sit only one game back of the 8th seed at 17-19.

Still, with a lot of time left before the trade deadline, if the Clippers begin slumping again, they may be tempted to deal Jordan. Contrary to what many believe, Jordan leaving as a free agent really is not a legitimate option to me. You could make the case that Jordan has already tried leaving twice before, but Jordan returned both times. Jordan has stated several times his love for LA and his relationship with Griffin also makes it very unlikely he leaves.

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The Clippers may receive some good packages for Jordan, but they should pass. The Clippers are starting to pick up steam, and will only get better as they get healthier. Trading away Jordan would just cause an unnecessary regression.