NBA Rumors: The Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers nearly pulled off a blockbuster deal centered around DeAndre Jordan at the trade deadline
Cleveland management has to be ecstatic with how the new-look Cavs have played in the three games since the NBA trade deadline. Even though it’s not a large enough sample size to really get a grasp on what this new team will be in the playoffs, it’s certainly a good sign.
Although, interestingly, it’s now being reported that Cleveland would be looking a lot different had it not been for one Iman Shumpert.
Well, in fairness, not necessarily him. But his contract.
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The Clippers and the Cavs, reportedly, nearly agreed on a blockbuster deal centered around DeAndre Jordan. The rumored deal was Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Shumpert and a first-round pick for Jordan. The only problem with that is that LA was open with the fact that they didn’t want to take any bad contracts – J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson or Shumpert – and their stance never changed.
And that’s why Jordan is not with the Cavs, and still with the Clippers.
"[via ESPN]Altman had ownership approval to send the Clippers Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and the Cavs’ 2018 first-round pick for Jordan. The Clippers were willing to accept the trade, but on one significant condition. …Clippers president Lawrence Frank, Winger and Altman had talked for weeks on a trade, but they got nowhere. The Clippers wouldn’t take Tristan Thompson, JR Smith or Shumpert in a deal, and that never changed."
If nothing else, it’s an interesting element to keep in mind when playing the hypothetical game later this season. For now, though, it’s fun to think about what the Cavs would look like if the Clippers had accepted the deal. Would George Hill be on the Cavs? Would Rodney Hood or Jordan Clarkson?
It’s unlikely that every one of those players would be on Cleveland. Furthermore, does that mean that Dwyane Wade would still be with the Cavs, too?
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To think, there could be a different world out there in which DeAndre Jordan is on the Cavs, and Wade never makes it back to Miami this season. Pretty crazy to think about. But it’s just another day in the NBA.