Free agent center DeAndre Jordan has chosen to bolt from Los Angeles and accept a four-year, $80 million deal with the rival Dallas Mavericks. But the Clippers haven’t given up all hope just yet.
Story going online now: ESPN sources say Clippers lobbying DeAndre Jordan to reverse his decision to join Dallas and stay in LA with Clips
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2015
ESPN sources say Mavericks owner Mark Cuban arrived in Houston earlier today as Dallas tries to fend off the Clippers' 11th hour push
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2015
Reportedly, team president and head coach Doc Rivers, along with owner Steve Ballmer, seek one last face-to-face meeting with the 26-year-old stud, in a desperate attempt to retain the big fella.
Piggyback off @ESPNSteinLine: Doc told DJ they didn't know he wanted bigger role. LA offering to hire big man coach & increase DJ's touches.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 8, 2015
LAC became aware that DeAndre Jordan was having second thoughts "a few days ago. Blake Griffin has already talked to him, Chris Paul soon.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 8, 2015
J.J. Redick likely won’t be invited.
Per ESPN:
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 said that Jordan has told people close to him since picking Dallas that he’s still “torn” and “unsure” about his choice.
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