HANG TIME BIG CITY — Not so fast, DeAndre Jordan.
Last week, after several days of lobbying and meetings, the free-agent center announced he'd be leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to join the Dallas Mavericks. Coming off a career season, in which Jordan averaged 11.5 ppg and a league-leading 15 rpg, Jordan leaving Lob City was a huge move on several fronts. For the Mavericks, Jordan would be a transformative big man who could play alongside Dirk Nowitzki, and give the Mavs the paint presence they've been lacking for years. It was arguably an even bigger issue for the Clippers, who because of salary cap constraints had no real way of replacing Jordan.
But what if they end up not losing Jordan in the first place?
According to a report today from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Clippers have redoubled their efforts and are attempting to convince Jordan to stick around after all…
Free agents are traditionally considered off limits once they strike a verbal agreement with a team during the NBA's annual moratorium period, but sources said that the Clippers have pushed to secure a meeting Wednesday in Houston for coach/team president Doc Rivers and possibly owner Steve Ballmer to make one last face-to-face pitch to Jordan in an attempt to convince him to walk away from the four-year, $80-plus million max deal he committed to with the Mavericks and instead stay with L.A.
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.
Thursday is the first day teams and players can formally sign contracts once the moratorium is lifted. Sources say the Clippers, since Jordan's return to Houston, have been bypassing his representatives from Relativity Sports and have been urging him to take the Clippers' offer instead while there's still time.
Sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard that Jordan has told people close to him since picking Dallas that he's still "torn" and "unsure" about his choice.
When Jordan initially announced his exit, it was attributed to a collection of factors, from a disconnect with Clippers point guard Chris Paul to a lack of touches on the offensive end.
As some people have added today on Twitter, the Clippers may be trying to address these (and other) concerns with Jordan …
(NOTE: Freshest stuff on this issue at the bottom)
Sources: Clips responded to Jordan expressing doubt on decision. Griffin, Redick may be in Houston w/ Doc today. Dallas fortifying response.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 8, 2015DeAndre Jordan has been working out with John Lucas in Houston and is indeed having second thoughts about his decision.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) July 8, 2015