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The Los Angeles Clippers aren't ready to say goodbye to DeAndre Jordan just yet.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Clippers are taking another stab at getting Jordan to change his mind about joining the Dallas Mavericks:
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick traveled to meet with Jordan in Houston. Stein and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Jordan is leaning toward the Clippers, and the team is optimistic he will return.
Prior to making a decision, Jordan has promised the Mavericks a face-to-face meeting, according to Stein. He noted in his report that free agents don't often take additional offers after reaching a verbal agreement with a team.
The meeting in Houston has ended, but the Clippers are still with Jordan because Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has arrived in the city, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. However, Jordan still plans to meet with the Mavericks Wednesday night, per David Aldridge of NBA.com.
While the Mavericks may get another chance to meet with Jordan, the team fears they won't have an audience as the Clippers have "surrounded" Jordan, per Stein. Shelburne added the Clippers believe he will return to LA, and will be staying with Jordan at his house until midnight, when free agents can officially sign new deals. The Clippers are blocking others from entering Jordan's house, including Cuban, reported Wojnarowski.
Michael Eaves of ESPN reported Jordan reached out to Rivers saying he had made a mistake, triggering the team's attempt to bring him back to Los Angeles. Eaves also reported prior to the agreement with Dallas, Jordan's agent Dan Fegan posed an ultimatum to the Clippers, stating they would have to trade Paul to retain Jordan.
Eaves added Jordan has been "emotionally tormented" by the decision, and a video commissioned by the Clippers brought him to tears during the initial meeting.
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report noted the sort lobbying the Clippers are doing is not uncommon:
Paul's potential involvement is interesting, because Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com wrote that Jordan did not get along with the Clippers point guard. But a source of Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears noted that while Jordan and Paul aren't the "best of friends," the two have spoken regularly throughout the free-agency period.
On July 3, Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that Jordan agreed to a four-year deal with the Mavericks worth $80 million. Despite the agreement, Amick reported Wednesday there are those within the Dallas organization that are "very concerned."
Because of the NBA's moratorium on free agents being unable to sign contracts until July 9, none of the agreed-upon deals thus far have been made official. That's left a sliver of hope for the Clippers to retain the star center, which they are now apparently trying to take advantage of.
When Jordan agreed to his deal with the Mavericks, Markazi reported the Clippers had a max offer of $109 million over five years on the table.
Jordan's tenure with the Clippers has been very beneficial to both parties. He's developed into a player worthy of a max contract, leading the NBA in field-goal percentage the last three years and total rebounds the last two years.
The Clippers have made the playoffs each of the last four seasons, winning one series three times during that stretch. They are still on the cusp of competing for a championship, but losing Jordan would be devastating to their aspirations.
It may be a Hail Mary effort by the Clippers, but it's seemingly worth taking. Jordan is a difference-making talent at a valuable position and will change the dynamic of two teams in the Western Conference with his decision.
The Los Angeles Clippers aren't ready to say goodbye to DeAndre Jordan just yet.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Clippers are taking another stab at getting Jordan to change his mind about joining the Dallas Mavericks:
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick traveled to meet with Jordan in Houston. Stein and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Jordan is leaning toward the Clippers, and the team is optimistic he will return.
Prior to making a decision, Jordan has promised the Mavericks a face-to-face meeting, according to Stein. He noted in his report that free agents don't often take additional offers after reaching a verbal agreement with a team.
The meeting in Houston has ended, but the Clippers are still with Jordan because Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has arrived in the city, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. However, Jordan still plans to meet with the Mavericks Wednesday night, per David Aldridge of NBA.com.
While the Mavericks may get another chance to meet with Jordan, the team fears they won't have an audience as the Clippers have "surrounded" Jordan, per Stein. Shelburne added the Clippers believe he will return to LA, and will be staying with Jordan at his house until midnight, when free agents can officially sign new deals. The Clippers are blocking others from entering Jordan's house, including Cuban, reported Wojnarowski.
Michael Eaves of ESPN reported Jordan reached out to Rivers saying he had made a mistake, triggering the team's attempt to bring him back to Los Angeles. Eaves also reported prior to the agreement with Dallas, Jordan's agent Dan Fegan posed an ultimatum to the Clippers, stating they would have to trade Paul to retain Jordan.
Eaves added Jordan has been "emotionally tormented" by the decision, and a video commissioned by the Clippers brought him to tears during the initial meeting.
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report noted the sort lobbying the Clippers are doing is not uncommon:
Paul's potential involvement is interesting, because Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com wrote that Jordan did not get along with the Clippers point guard. But a source of Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears noted that while Jordan and Paul aren't the "best of friends," the two have spoken regularly throughout the free-agency period.
On July 3, Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that Jordan agreed to a four-year deal with the Mavericks worth $80 million. Despite the agreement, Amick reported Wednesday there are those within the Dallas organization that are "very concerned."
Because of the NBA's moratorium on free agents being unable to sign contracts until July 9, none of the agreed-upon deals thus far have been made official. That's left a sliver of hope for the Clippers to retain the star center, which they are now apparently trying to take advantage of.
When Jordan agreed to his deal with the Mavericks, Markazi reported the Clippers had a max offer of $109 million over five years on the table.
Jordan's tenure with the Clippers has been very beneficial to both parties. He's developed into a player worthy of a max contract, leading the NBA in field-goal percentage the last three years and total rebounds the last two years.
The Clippers have made the playoffs each of the last four seasons, winning one series three times during that stretch. They are still on the cusp of competing for a championship, but losing Jordan would be devastating to their aspirations.
It may be a Hail Mary effort by the Clippers, but it's seemingly worth taking. Jordan is a difference-making talent at a valuable position and will change the dynamic of two teams in the Western Conference with his decision.
