The Los Angeles Lakers already have their eye on DeAndre Jordan, who is likely heading for a buyout after being traded from the Nets to the Pistons.
DeAndre Jordan could be on his way back to Los Angeles very soon, this time as a Laker.
The Nets just traded the forward and four second-round NBA draft picks to the Pistons for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. However, he’s going to leave Detroit much more quickly than his former Clippers and Brooklyn teammate Blake Griffin.
If all goes as planned, Jordan looks likely to end up in purple and gold.
“Pistons plan is to negotiate a contract buyout with the DeAndre Jordan and allow him to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. In that scenario, the Lakers will be a serious contender, sources tell ESPN,” Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted.
Jordan has two years on his current deal and is owed $20 million.
Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing DeAndre Jordan
This one fits right in line with the Lakers‘ M.O. this offseason, filling up their roster with aging stars available on the cheap to support Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
However, Jordan doesn’t make a ton of sense in terms of positioning. If Davis is going to play center this season, they don’t really need another big man. They already have Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol on the roster. The former just signed on as a free agent while the latter has another year left on his deal.
Granted, Gasol might not stay with Los Angeles this season. NBA Insider Marc Stein has mentioned the possibility of Gasol moving on. It could be the pursuit of Jordan is confirmation of that report.
Jordan, who just turned 33 years old, averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game for the Nets last season.