The Los Angeles Lakers are in the mix for one of this summer’s top-tier free agents, DeAndre Jordan included. Jordan is set to meet with the Lakers, Mavericks, and Bucks this week, including the Clippers.
From Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times:
Jordan’s first meeting will be on Wednesday with the Dallas Mavericks at the Beverly Hills offices of his representative, Relativity Sports, said NBA officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Jordan will meet with the Lakers and then the New York Knicks later in the day, the official said.
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.
The reported frontrunner to possibly lure Jordan away from LA is the Dallas Mavericks, who have Chandler Parsons working as an active recruiter for Jordan. Well, the Lakers have someone doing some recruiting of their own:
Jordan has gotten a call from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the officials said. Bryant wanted Jordan to know the Lakers are interested.
If there is some underlying force driving DeAndre Jordan’s thoughts in free agency, like a conflict with his point guard Chris Paul, the Mavericks would own the edge over the Lakers for a few reasons. He’s from Texas, and while the Lakers have a promising young talent core that Jordan might have fun playing with, the Mavericks have more of a win-now culture established. I’m not sure Jordan would look to intentionally instigate the LA rivalry by choosing the Lakers. Frankly, that would just come off as spite.
Jordan’s feelings and motivations will be evident based on the decision he makes.
