DeAndre Jordan to Mavericks: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Former Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is reportedly moving to the Dallas Mavericks after agreeing to a deal on July 3, but the Clippers may not be giving up on the center yet. 

Ken Berger of CBS Sports confirmed the agreement. Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported the deal is for four years and $80 million, with a player option in the final year of the contract.

However, on July 8, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported the Clippers were attempting to convince Jordan to return to Los Angeles and reverse his decision to join the Mavericks. 

Arash Markazi of ESPN.com indicated Jordan turned down a five-year, $109 million maximum contract from the Clippers.

Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Jordan "wasn't blown away" by the Clippers' presentation, while Dan Woike of the Orange County Register added  that a source said Jordan "wants to be the man."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said on a Dallas radio show that the team told Jordan it believed he could be a star, according to Melissa Rohlin of the Los Angeles Times. 

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We see him as 'Shaq-like' but never having been given the opportunity. We told him if he came to the Mavs, he would be a focal point. He would grow into being a franchise player. We told him that you'e capable of being a 20-20 guy. You're just not being given the opportunity. 

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According to Turner, Jordan was impressed Dirk Nowitzki came off a family vacation to meet with Jordan in L.A., whereas no Clippers players were in attendance for Jordan's meeting with their team.

Berger went further on why Jordan decided to leave Los Angeles with an issue involving one player in particular:

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On one hand, there was Jordan’s relationship with Clippers All-Star Chris Paul, which sources told CBSSports.com was demonstrably poor. These things are never one man’s fault, but they believe that Jordan’s relationship with the man who got him the ball in L.A. played a role here.

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Jordan is a unique talent. He's a terrific defender and ferocious rebounder with a limited offensive game. His numbers have improved over the past two seasons mostly because he's become more effective in his niche role.

This past season, the Texas A&M product averaged 11.5 points, 15 rebounds and better than two blocks while shooting 71 percent from the field. The latter number is obviously influenced by most of his offensive looks being dunks and putback layups.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kirk Goldsberry of Grantland highlighted the post player's interesting shot chart (via Lacrosse Film Room):

Most of the time, the conversation would revolve around trying to add a mid-range game on offense. In his case, he's able to make such a large impact playing a physical brand of basketball under the hoop that it's probably not necessary. He could certainly benefit from improving at the free-throw line (41.7 percent in his career), though.

His success made him a popular target heading into the offseason. In March, Jordan told Sam Amick of USA Today he was looking forward to the open-market experience.

"The team is great, the guys are good, we have great camaraderie," Jordan said. "But the free-agency process is definitely going to be a fun one. I want to experience it, to see what it's like."

After going through the process, he decided the time had come for him to take on a new challenge rather than return to Los Angeles.

In some cases, when free agents switch teams, their role changes. That won't be the case for Jordan. His skill set has been clear from the start of his career. He does deserve credit for continuing to improve from bench asset to key starter, however.

His arrival gives the Mavs an outstanding interior combination as he pairs with Dirk Nowitzki. Since the German veteran can stretch the floor, Jordan could also assume a bigger offensive role than he did with the Clippers.

The signing immediately makes Dallas, which finished seventh in the Western Conference last season, a bigger threat. It could still use another perimeter scoring option to keep pace with the likes of the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, though.

At a time when the focus has shifted toward individual stars over the team concept, Jordan is an old-school player. He does his job with a high degree of success on a consistent basis, even if it doesn't come with nearly as many accolades.

The Clippers will struggle to replace his presence on the interior, and landing Jordan is a serious coup for the Mavericks.