NBA free agency will kick off at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday and the Los Angeles Clippers are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.
Center DeAndre Jordan will be an unrestricted free agent at that moment and the Clippers are hoping they can convince the big man to stay put. Jordan, 26, has spent his entire seven year career with the Clippers but is entertaining the idea of playing elsewhere next season. USA Today reports that he is expected to meet with at least four teams: the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
These meetings will likely take place in the Los Angeles offices of Jordan's representatives, Dan Fegan and Happy Walters of Relativity Sports. The Milwaukee Bucks also have interest in Jordan, though they have been deemed a "long shot."
Jordan has maintained all along his interest in testing the free agent market.
"I mean I've obviously been (in Los Angeles) seven years, and the past two have been great," he said. "Doc [Rivers] has been my biggest supporter and the best coach I've ever had. The team is great. The guys are good. We have great camaraderie. But the free agency process is definitely going to be a fun one.
"I want to experience it, to see what it's like, because before (in 2011) I was (a) restricted (free agent) so I just kind of had to wait it out. But I definitely want to experience it. I'm happy being a Clipper, I love it here. I've been here seven years, so this is definitely what I'm used to."
Jordan set career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (15.0) and field goal percentage (71) last season while also finishing third in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting. His importance to the team has been made clear by Rivers' indication that the team would offer him a five-year, $109 million max contract in free agency. Other teams can only offer a maximum four-year deal worth roughly $81 million.
