How Los Angeles Clippers Can Sell Free Agent DeAndre Jordan on Return to L.A.
How does one quantify a player's worth in dollars? It is a rather subjective analysis that blurs the lines between statistics, need and future value. Which is more important, and at what cost?
That is the conundrum DeAndre Jordan is facing, not head coach Doc Rivers or anyone else associated with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The decision for the Clippers is simple and one Rivers already seems to have made.
When asked during the team's exit interviews if he was willing to give Jordan a max contract, Rivers didn't exactly hide his cards, according to Arash Markazi of ESPN:
Now the onus lies on the Clippers to sell Jordan on his future with the team. There have been reports that the Dallas Mavericks and Jordan have expressed mutual interest. Whether this is a ploy from his agent or the truth, Rivers can't afford to lose him.
So, how can Rivers convince Jordan to remain a Clipper?
It's All About the Benjamins
Money talks, especially considering the Clippers are expected to offer Jordan a five-year maximum contract worth $109 million. Any team with cap space on the open market will only be able to offer Jordan four years and $81 million.
Simply put, it's all about the money.
However, there is a loophole Jordan can take advantage of. Should he choose to sign with another team via free agency or a sign-and-trade, Jordan can include an opt-out clause after his second year.
This would allow Jordan to reap the rewards of the inflated salary-cap projections and earn a more lucrative contract. It remains to be seen exactly how high the cap could jump in the next two seasons, but according to DraftExpress, the increase could be substantial:
Since Jordan will have played seven years in the league after this upcoming season, if he opts out of a new contract after two years, he would be eligible for a contract starting at 30 percent of the projected salary cap, according to Larry Coon.
Still, the Clippers currently hold the upper hand, as they can offer Jordan a larger deal than anyone else. Additionally, they can also tack on a fifth year for financial security.
If Jordan wants to get paid this summer, re-signing with the Clippers would be his best option.
A Structured Fit
How players fit into a system and overall team dynamic is a delicate process. Rivers made it well-known upon taking over as head coach that Jordan was an integral piece to the puzzle.
Rivers thought he would become the Defensive Player of the Year and a regular member of the All-Defensive Team, according to Clippers.com's Eric Patten.
"He will fulfill them," Rivers said of those defensive goals. "He can because he’s a good player. He’s a great athlete. And he can have a defensive impact any time he’s on the floor. Athletically, he can have an offensive impact on the team. We just want to try to put him in those positions so he can do that."
Jordan has not disappointed, having finished third in voting the last two seasons for Defensive Player of the Year and making the All-Defensive First Team this season.
Jordan fits Rivers' defensive structure. More importantly, Rivers has shown confidence in Jordan and helped develop him into the player he is today.
During the 2012-13 season under Vinny Del Negro, Jordan played only 24.5 minutes per game. He was consistently benched during fourth quarters due to his terrible free-throw shooting and rampant fouling.
His confidence was shaken. Jordan was not given the reins to captain the defense and looked like he was pressing on the floor, knowing he could be taken out any moment.
All that changed under Rivers. Would Jordan be willing to give up that security to sign with a new team?
Granted, he is a much better player than three years ago. However, would another coach trust him the same way Rivers does?
Furthermore, Blake Griffin and Jordan are seemingly best friends.
They grew up in the organization together, have their own handshakes and hang out together quite a bit. I say this with firsthand knowledge, having seen them together multiple times throughout Southern California.
Is Jordan ready to uproot himself from the Los Angeles market, one of his best friends and a coach and organization that have full faith in him?
The Future
The Clippers' future looks bright, especially with Jordan anchoring the defense.
Chris Paul and Griffin are signed through the 2017-18 season, the salary cap is expanding and new owner Steve Ballmer has as deep of pockets as any owner in the league.
Although Paul might be reaching the end of his prime, his skills and leadership capabilities should allow him to age reasonably well.
Griffin is nearing the apex of his career, much like Jordan. Together, the two form one of the most imposing frontcourts in the league.
Additionally, with some creativity by Rivers and the team's executives, the Clippers could be able to lure another prime free agent in the coming years to bolster their roster. It seems unlikely the team will be able to afford Kevin Durant, but the possibility exists.
Regardless, the Clippers were one win away from the conference finals this season. They already are championship contenders, having finished 56-26 during the regular season.. With everything else factored in, does Jordan want to walk away from a team this close to reaching its goals?
While Jordan would have to give up guaranteed money, familiarity and trust, the Clippers have plenty to lose as well, per Markazi:
"If Jordan were to leave they would likely be forced to turn to Spencer Hawes as their starting center after using their full midlevel exception (four years at $23 million) on him last summer. Hawes has struggled through his worst season since his rookie year and was buried at the end of the bench during the playoffs.
The Clippers hope they don't have to worry about that this offseason and can get Jordan to re-sign. Then they could look to tweak the roster and improve their much-maligned bench with some minor moves that won't shake up the core of the team too much.
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Although Jordan has plenty of options to weigh, including potentially heading back to his home state of Texas, the Clippers have the best sales pitch.
How will Jordan respond to meeting with other teams? How does he actually perceive his relationship with Paul? Would he really leave a team this close to the mountaintop?
These are questions Jordan, Rivers and Ballmer will need to address together. Still, it seems like the Clippers offer the best package of winning, financial security and happiness.
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