Los Angeles Lakers: DeAndre Jordan is not a veteran addition that is needed
Would DeAndre Jordan be a fit on the Los Angeles Lakers?
The NBA bargain bin has been overflowing as teams continue to enrich the Los Angeles Lakers by buying out players. Rajon Rondo is the latest player to be bought out and immediately sign with the Lakers. This comes after last season where Andre Drummond was one of the largest buyout players ever, who signed with the Lakers to close the season.
With the recent rumor that DeAndre Jordan might be the next former All-Star to be bought out, there have been reports he may sign with the Lakers. If that rumor is true, does it really add anything to the Purple and Gold?
The opportunity to sign a player who has been on an NBA All-Defensive First Team and an All-Star Team sounds incredibly enticing. If you forget the fact the Lakers already have Dwight Howard, who once upon a time was a former All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the year.
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What role would DeAndre Jordan play on the Los Angeles Lakers?
If the Lakers also plan to bring back Marc Gasol, which is an option that could still be on the table, it’s not clear where that would leave Jordan (should he also sign with the Lakers).
In what seems to be the waning days of Jordan’s time in Brooklyn, it appears he has fallen and can’t move up the depth chart. Jordan was listed as a DNP for all 12 of the Nets’ playoff games. When he did play for the Nets, Jordan averaged a pedestrian 7.5 pts and 5.4 rebounds per game. That also includes his trademark 50 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
If the Lakers want to address a need at the center position, it should be to play Anthony Davis more at the 5. Dwight is a shell of his former self and is no longer an elite defender; the same would be the case for Jordan.
The saying is “LeBron James needs shooters around him,” not a player who can barely move and can’t do much on the offensive end other than putback baskets.
If the Lakers are serious about adding more veteran depth it should be in the form of knock-down shooting. Jordan has never been that player, but his former Clipper teammate JJ Redick might be a positive addition for the Purple and Gold. Three-point shooting would be more valuable than a big man who would be used infrequently and situationally at best.
Jordan used to be a force in the NBA, a high octane player who used his physical gifts to dominate around the rim. The Nets buying him out with two years left on his deal proves that time has slowed him down.
The Lakers don’t need Jordan. They should look elsewhere as they continue to round out their final roster before the start of training camp.