NBA Rumors: Analyzing Gossip on DeAndre Jordan, Mario Hezonja and More

The 2018 NBA trade deadline is long gone, and a host of players found new homes for the stretch run. Furthermore, a few key veterans were bought out of their contracts and landed deals with other teams.

Aside from a potential addition or two between now and the playoffs, the player movement for this season has come to a close. However, it will be interesting to see who goes where in the offseason. And two players who could be playing elsewhere next year are Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Orlando Magic forward Mario Hezonja.

We will take a look at a couple of rumors surrounding both players and talk about their 2018-19 prospects.

DeAndre Jordan

On Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the 29-year-old Jordan was close to becoming a Cleveland Cavalier: "[Cavs general manager Koby Altman] had ownership approval to send the Clippers Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and the Cavs' 2018 first-round pick for Jordan."

Although Jordan is staying with the Clippers through the rest of the regular season, it's not looking likely he will be in L.A. following the end of the year, which would end a 10-season tenure with the team.

On February 9 (the day after the trade deadline), Jordan told reporters he "didn't know" whether the team wanted him. Couple that with the trade rumors and the deals that sent core Clippers players Chris Paul and Blake Griffin elsewhere, and the writing seems to be on the wall.

Jordan should be a hot commodity in the offseason, when he can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. The former Texas A&M Aggie has missed just 12 games since the 2010-11 season, and he's never sat out more than five in a given year. This is despite averaging no fewer than 31.7 minutes per game in any of his past five seasons.

The 6'11" center has also matched his career-high with 15.0 rebounds per game this year, and he's done well since Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons, posting 11.0 points and 16.6 rebounds per game, according to Basketball Reference. Notably, he scored 30 points at the Boston Celtics and grabbed 21 boards against the Philadelphia 76ers. In that span, the Clippers are 5-2.

The Phoenix Suns could be a good fit to sign Jordan. Starter Tyson Chandler is at the back end of his career, and fifth-year backup Alex Len hasn't been given much opportunity on the court. He's done well in limited time (8.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes of action this year), but Len is a free agent after this season, and it's possible he and the Suns could agree to part ways.

The Suns already have a scoring core of Devin Booker, T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson, and they could use a strong rebounding big who won't command the ball. Jordan could be that player, and he could run with the fast Phoenix team as well.

Mario Hezonja

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel recently reported the following: "The Magic attempted to trade [Orlando Magic forward Mario Hezonja] prior to the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline, but with his free agency approaching, the team found no takers."

Hezonja's three-year career in Orlando has been enigmatic. He didn't see the court much in his first two years, averaging 5.5 points in 16.5 minutes per game. Notably, his shot was off for the entirety of the 2016-17 campaign, as he made just 35.5 percent of his field goals and 29.9 percent of his three-pointers. As Robbins also noted, Hezonja's defensive effort left a lot to be desired.

However, this season has been a different story for Hezonja, who has received more playing time and usage following injuries to power forward Aaron Gordon and center Nikola Vucevic.

Hezonja's efficiency this year has improved by leaps and bounds, as he's shooting 46.9 percent of his field goals and 35.0 percent of his three-pointers.

He's also impressed in individual games recently, averaging 22.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in his past three contests.

Robbins reported the Magic previously declined his fourth-year option, making Hezonja a free agent after this season.

It's possible Orlando could attempt to re-sign Hezonja, especially considering the fact Gordon is a restricted free agent and could be playing elsewhere next season. As Robbins also wrote, Hezonja likes living in the Orlando area.

That being said, Hezonja will only be 23 at the beginning of next season, and his recent play could lead to a team offering him a better contract than the Magic.

Regardless of where Hezonja plays next, it will be interesting to see whether he can build off his third year and fulfill the potential that made him the fifth overall pick in the 2015 draft.