Four Potential Trade Destinations For DeAndre Jordan

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be in full-scale rebuild mode and with that in mind they need to unload DeAndre Jordan. It would be a shame to see Lob City’s last piece leave town, but Jordan can opt out of his contract this summer and the Clippers should get something for their 29-year-old center while they can.

Here’s a look at four potential teams the Clippers should engage before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

*And yes, all of these deals have been checked with the trade machine.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks could use some rim protection and rebounding, and Jordan could provide both. The Bucks rank 17th in the NBA in defensive efficiency (106.4) and 26th in rebound rate (48.3). Jordan is third in the league in rebound rate (25.4) and is also 20th in defensive win shares (2.3).

For those of you who don’t like advanced stats, Jordan is the league’s second-leading rebounder (14.9 per game), and while he doesn’t block a ton of shots (0.98 per game), he makes a big impact on the defensive end. An athletic, 6’11” center will affect a lot of shots. With Jordan joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe and Jabari Parker, the Bucks would be a formidable opponent for any team in the East.

In return for Jordan, the Clippers get some rim protection of their own with John Henson, and would take on Matthew Dellavedova’s contract (he’s due 19.2 million over the next two years). They also get an intriguing 2017 first-round pick in D.J. Wilson, plus a first-rounder in 2020. For a team in full-on rebuild mode, that’s not a bad trade.

Henson needs a change of scenery, Delly can be a second-unit guard and Wilson has a high ceiling but needs to see the floor. Oh, and both Henson and Dellavedova will be off the books in 2020.

Bucks receive: DeAndre Jordan

Clippers receive: John Henson, Matthew Dellavedova, D.J. Wilson, 2020 first-round pick

Cleveland Cavaliers

This would take some doing, but if the Cleveland Cavaliers want to contend this year, they need to pull this deal off. They rank 28th in defensive efficiency (109.4) and 25th in rebound rate (48.5). As noted above, putting Jordan at center would assist both of those problem areas.

Part of this deal would be predicated on getting the Clippers to take on Tristan Thompson’s awful contract, but the other pieces in the deal make it worth it. Thompson is still just 26 years old and badly needs a change of scenery. He’s due nearly $36 million over the next two seasons, but is off the books in 2020.

Along with Thompson, the Clippers would receive intriguing 22-year-old wing Cedi Osman and the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Clippers are without a first-rounder this year, so getting that pick in such a deep draft would be a huge boost to their rebuild.

That’s a lot for the Cavs to surrender, but this might be their last chance to win a championship with LeBron James on board, so there is no reason to hold back.

Cavs receive: DeAndre Jordan

Clippers receive: Tristan Thompson, Cedi Osman, Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round draft pick

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are looking for a change, and while they may have cooled on adding Jordan, he’d be a perfect fit in Portland.

Jusuf Nurkic has regressed this season and is headed for restricted free agency. It might be difficult for the Blazers to re-sign the 23-year-old after such a mediocre season. At least with Jordan they would be inking a known quantity to a new contract (assuming he opts out).

In this version of the deal they also get athletic wing Sam Dekker who isn’t seeing the floor enough in LA. He could be a valuable second-unit player if he’s actually developed — something that’s not happening in LA. With C.J. McCollum, Damian Lillard, Jordan and Dekker, the Blazers could bring Lob City to Rip City and at least have a little fun.

In return the Clippers would get Nurkic, who at 23 still has a ton of value at center. A change of scenery and coaching could turn him into a franchise cornerstone. Al-Farouq Aminu — who was originally drafted by the Clippers — and Maurice Harkless would join Nurkic to make the salaries work. Harkless is due more than $22 million over the next two years but will be off the books in 2020, and Aminu will be a value next season at $7 million in the final year of his deal.

Blazers receive: DeAndre Jordan, Sam Dekker

Clippers receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have played some good basketball with John Wall out, but they’ll need more to make a push in the Eastern Conference. Marcin Gortat is having a terrible season (8.9 points, 7.9 rebounds per game) and Jordan would be a huge upgrade at the center position.

A lineup of Bradley Beal, Wall, Otto Porter Jr., Markieff Morris and Jordan would be lethal in the East. But it wouldn’t come cheap.

In this deal, the Wizards would get Jordan and Dekker — who could provide depth off the bench.

The Clippers would have to take on Gortat (who is due $13.5 million next season), Jodie Meeks and Mike Scott, but they would also receive Kelly Oubre and a 2018 second-round pick. Meeks has a player option for just $3.45 million next year, while Scott will be a free agent.

Meanwhile, Oubre has developed into a really nice player. He’s currently posting career-highs in points (11.9), rebounds (4.6) and minutes (27.3) per game, while shooting career-bests from the field field (43.2 percent), 3-point range (37.3 percent) and at the free throw line (84.1 percent). His PER has also climbed almost four full points since last year (up to 12.99). He’s an intriguing option on the wing who could flourish if given a starting role.

Wizards receive: DeAndre Jordan, Sam Dekker

Clippers receive: Marcin Gortat, Kelly Oubre, Jodie Meeks, Mike Scott, 2018 second-round pick