There’s a chance the NBA’s free agency moratorium period could rear its ugly head and destroy what the Dallas Mavericks have accomplished.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Los Angeles Clippers are still pursuing DeAndre Jordan, who reached a verbal agreement with Dallas last week.
“Sources say that some Clippers players have been in contact in recent days as well with Jordan, who informed both teams of his decision last Friday and then flew to his offseason home in Houston.”
Free agents can agree to contracts during the moratorium period, but players aren’t allowed to sign a contract until July 9. Typically, a target is no longer a target when he accepts a contract offer from a given team, but the Clippers aren’t operating by the unwritten rules of free agency.
And it makes perfect sense.
Stein notes sources told ESPN’s Chris Broussard that Jordan is still “torn and unsure” about his decision to join the Mavericks.
Jordan is one of the NBA’s best centers, and he’s a monster on the glass and as a defender. He averaged 15.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks last season, so Los Angeles should do everything within its right to retain Jordan.
As of now, Dallas will acquire Jordan on a four-year, $80 million contract. But until pen meets paper, the Clippers will keep pursuing their star center.
Photo: USA Today Sports