NBA Free agency is getting wilder by the minute. Trades and rumors of trades have been flying all over the place, and now the Clippers are joining the fray. According to sources, the Clippers have been reaching out to teams to gauge their interest in DeAndre Jordan, most notably the Phoenix Suns.
Here are more details from ESPN:
One of the teams contacted was the Phoenix Suns, sources relayed to ESPN. A proposal of Jordan in exchange for veteran center Tyson Chandler and the team’s No. 4 pick in the 2017 NBA draft was discussed, sources said.
The Suns, however, are believed to have balked at the overture.
Phoenix may not be interested in this deal but this news is very significant for one particular reason. The Clippers exploring a trade for Deandre Jordan likely means that they expect Chris Paul to leave in free agency. The Clippers roster as constructed cannot contend in the West, and if Chris Paul leaves it would trigger a lengthy rebuilding process. DeAndre Jordan has two years and $46 million left on his contract, so it would be a smart move by the Clippers to move Jordan while he still has value.