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The extent of discussions between the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers about a DeAndre Jordan trade become clearer with the NBA Trade Deadline just days away. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times gives insight into the details.
The Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers have discussed a trade involving L.A. center DeAndre Jordan but a formal offer was never made, according to NBA officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The Clippers have been seeking a first-round draft pick, financial flexibility and young players in return for Jordan, according to the executives.
This matches the original report from Marc Stein two weeks ago.
But league sources say that the Clippers have yet to receive a proposal from Cleveland, Milwaukee, Portland or anyone else that they’ve found seriously tempting https://t.co/vszOca0qJ1
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 22, 2018
There are several factors at play over a Jordan trade. One is Jordan’s massive contract, paying him $22.6 million this season. If the Clippers covet “financial flexibility,” Portland sending Evan Turner or Meyers Leonard to Los Angeles won’t likely work—but that leaves room for a third team to sneak and help facilitate while getting compensation.
One other factor is Jordan’s pending $24.1 million player option for next season. If Jordan does arrive in Portland and decides it’s not where he wants to spend the rest of his career, he can choose not to pick up his option, and the Blazers risk losing him for nothing while having already given up assets to acquire him.
The NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday, February 8th at Noon PT.