Three years after the Los Angeles Clippers basically held DeAndre Jordan hostage in order to prevent him from signing with the Dallas Mavericks, the two teams are reportedly close to a deal that would send Jordan back to his home state of Texas.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Mavs are actively in trade talks with the Los Angeles Clippers in an effort to land Jordan this week before free agency begins on July 1. Jordan has a deadline of Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET to decide whether he'll opt into the final year of his contract with the Clippers, worth a reported $24.1 million.
If Jordan decides to opt in, Dallas can trade for him before free agency begins on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. Stein reports that veteran swingman Wes Matthews and his $18.7 million contract will likely be the centerpiece of any offer. Jordan, who will turn 30 next month, could also decline the option and become an unrestricted free agent. While the Mavs seem intent on working out a deal for Jordan, Stein reports that the Clippers have granted Jordan's agent permission to explore other trade scenarios.
Last season with the Clippers, Jordan averaged 12.0 points and a career-high 15.2 rebounds as the Clips finished with a 42-40 record for the year. Dallas finished 24-58 last season and traded up a few spots in the NBA Draft to select Slovenian teenage basketball prodigy Luka Doncic.