More on DeAndre Jordan Free Agency
Marc J. Spears: LAC free agent center DeAndre Jordan plans to announce that he will be signing with the Mavericks early this evening, a source told Yahoo.
Alex Kennedy: I'm hearing that the Los Angeles Clippers are feeling confident that DeAndre Jordan will return. We'll see.
Clippers executives touched on a variety of topics during the three-hour meeting, including increased marketing opportunities for a player who has lagged in that department behind teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, star pitchmen for several national brands. Coach Doc Rivers also addressed tensions between Paul and Jordan that have given the center pause about his desire to continue playing for the only NBA team he has known in his seven professional seasons. A person close to Jordan who attended the meeting described the Clippers' presentation as "tight," saying "they had their stuff together."
Adrian Wojnarowski: Yahoo Source: After Clippers meeting, DeAndre Jordan remains "truly 50-50" and "torn" on choice between Mavs and Clippers. Decision looms.
The Knicks also met with DeAndre Jordan on Thursday morning. Prior to the meeting, New York was considered a long shot to sign Jordan, a source said. Jordan left the meeting undecided about his future but he came away with a good impression of the Knicks, said a person familiar with the meeting. But New York is still believed to be low on Jordan's list of potential destinations.
Alex Kennedy: As I said earlier, this is expected to be Jordan's final meeting and then he'll make a decision relatively quickly.
Ben Bolch: Schedule for DeAndre Jordan today: meeting with New York Knicks at 10 a.m., Clippers at 5 p.m. (H/T @Brad Turner)
Dwain Price: DeAndre Jordan will meet the #Knicks today at noon CDT and the #Clippers tonight at 7. The #Mavs really, really need this guy. #Really
David Baumann: Source: Mavs are "optimistic" they lured DeAndre from LAC after meetings today. Prior to FA, DJ texted @RyanTotka "really considering it."
Mark Medina: Clippers center DeAndre Jordan met with Dallas this a.m. He will meet with Lakers tonight, Knicks Thurs morning & Clippers Thurs afternoon
Sam Amick: No agreement w/ DeAndre Jordan and the Mavs after their meeting in LA tonight. Matthews meeting over also. More clarity for Dallas tomorrow.
The Dallas Mavericks had a pair of dinners with prominent free agents in Los Angeles as free agency opened at midnight ET Wednesday, meeting with Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Wesley Matthews, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that small forward Chandler Parsons, power forward Dirk Nowitzki and owner Mark Cuban met with Jordan, who had a Wednesday morning meeting scheduled with the Mavs. The Mavs are attempting to persuade Jordan, a third-team All-NBA center who will receive a max contract, to leave the Clippers to be a focal point for the Mavs.
Marc Stein: Immediate change to DeAndre Jordan's meeting schedule: ESPN sources say Mavs having dinner with Clippers center as we speak
Ramona Shelburne: Clippers still "hopeful" that they'll keep DeAndre Jordan, but I'm told if he were to leave for Mavs, they'll try to S&T for Tyson Chandler. But again, Clippers are still "hopeful" they'll keep DeAndre.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Lakers are working to unload contracts, trying to create significantly more salary cap space, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. Around the league, executives believe the Lakers are pursuing space to offer free agent deals to LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.
The Clippers, who will have Coach Doc Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer and a video presentation, will be the last team to meet with Jordan on Thursday, the officials said. Jordan has gotten a call from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the officials said. Bryant wanted Jordan to know the Lakers are interested.
The Mavericks are going to do everything they can to make it happen. A source said Monday that the Mavericks are going to meet with Jordan and his agents, Dan Fegan and Happy Walters, on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Other teams are in line to engage conversations with Jordan’s camp, including the Lakers and New York Knicks. And the Clippers still are a major threat.
Tim MacMahon: Mavs have DeAndre Jordan meeting Wednesday morning, LaMarcus Aldridge that afternoon. Both in LA. Mavs' recruiting committee: Mark Cuban, Donnie Nelson, Rick Carlisle and Chandler Parsons. Dirk is available this week if needed.
Aldridge, whom sources say is all but certain to leave Portland, will also meet with the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan will also meet with the Mavs, Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, according to sources.
DeAndre Jordan could be the difference in whether they sink or swim next season. The 26-year-old free agent center who spent his first seven seasons with the Clippers is clearly giving serious thought to changing jerseys, as three people with knowledge of his situation said he is expected to meet with at least four teams — the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks — in the first few days of free agency. The meetings are expected to take place in the Los Angeles office where Jordan's representatives, Dan Fegan and Happy Walters of Relativity Sports, are based. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.
Jordan said all along that he was going to test these free agency waters, telling USA TODAY Sports in mid-March that this is the way it would go. He is hopeful to make a decision by July 3 or 4.
The Los Angeles Times recently reported the Bucks were among four teams that will meet with unrestricted Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan at his home in Houston. Besides the Bucks, The Times reported Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers are on Jordan’s short list. Sources contend Jordan will either remain with the Clippers or go to Dallas. They say an arrangement where the 26-year-old Jordan goes to Dallas and Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, 32, winds up the Clippers is a viable possibility. Interestingly, none of the aforementioned teams might not even be Jordan’s preference.
