NBA Free Agency 2015: Latest DeAndre Jordan, Jeremy Lin and David West Rumors
With several All-Star-caliber players available and plenty of teams possessing the requisite cap space to sign them, the 2015 NBA free-agent signing period promises to be an exciting string of days and weeks that could significantly shift the league's balance of power.
Many strong teams have top players set to hit the open market, and while they would love to keep them, the allure of big money elsewhere won't be easy to overcome. Due to the depth of talent available this offseason, some lower-level teams will have the opportunity to turn things around in a hurry.
As free agency quickly approaches, here is a look at some of the most intriguing rumors that figure to come into play over the next several days.
DeAndre Jordan
Center DeAndre Jordan has long been a huge part of the Los Angeles Clippers' growth as a franchise, but the former second-round pick took his play to another level last season by averaging career highs with 11.5 points and 15 rebounds per game to go along with 2.2 blocks per contest.
Jordan was named to the All-NBA third team, and the 26-year-old big man now figures to cash, in as many franchises are desperate to get a center of his caliber.
While the former Texas A&M standout will have his pick of the litter, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com is reporting that the likeliest outcome is re-signing with the Clippers or signing with the Dallas Mavericks.
L.A. has proved to be a great fit for Jordan because he meshes well with power forward Blake Griffin and point guard Chris Paul, but there is a certain allure to the Mavs, as he would have the opportunity to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki.
Dallas Stars superstar forward Tyler Seguin is among those who are hopeful Jordan will spurn the Clips in favor of a return to his home state of Texas:
While Jordan could help make Dallas a contender, the team's situation is somewhat unsettled, as center Tyson Chandler and guards Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis are set to hit free agency, according to Spotrac.
Dallas' uncertain point guard situation is especially troublesome because Jordan benefits so greatly from CP3. In fact, Matt Moore of CBSSports.com believes Jordan needs a player of Paul's ilk at point guard to remain effective:
Signing with the Mavericks seems like a real possibility for Jordan, but his comments regarding free agency in March suggest the Clippers have a legitimate chance to re-sign him as well, per Sam Amick of USA Today:
"I mean I've obviously been (in Los Angeles) seven years, and the past two have been great. Doc (Clippers coach Doc Rivers) has been my biggest supporter and the best coach I've ever had. The team is great. The guys are good. We have great camaraderie. But the free agency process is definitely going to be a fun one. ... I want to experience it, to see what it's like, because before (in 2011) I was (a) restricted (free agent) so I just kind of had to wait it out. But I definitely want to experience it. I'm happy being a Clipper, I love it here. I've been here seven years, so this is definitely what I'm used to.
"
The Clippers are on the brink of contending for a championship, but that could all go away if Jordan decides to leave town.
He is nearly as important to the franchise's success as Paul and Griffin due to his defensive acumen, so Los Angeles has to do everything it can to convince him that he has a better chance of success if he stays put rather than making the leap to Dallas.
Jeremy Lin
Point guard Jeremy Lin has struggled to find the same success he did when he took the NBA by storm with the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 season, so a return to the Big Apple could be in the cards for Linsanity.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, sources are reporting that the Knicks are potentially interested in bringing the former Harvard star back into the fold.
Since the Knicks let Lin leave via restricted free agency in 2012, the results have been mixed. He spent two years with the Houston Rockets, primarily as a starter, and while he averaged 13 points and 5.2 assists per game, he also turned the ball over nearly three times per contest and showed some defensive deficiencies.
The Los Angeles Lakers brought him in and gave him a crack at the starting job last season, but he was eventually surpassed by Jordan Clarkson on the depth chart.
New York is essentially a blank slate right now aside from Carmelo Anthony, and that is especially true at the point guard position. Jose Calderon is still under contract, but it is clear that New York doesn't intend to move forward with him as a long-term option.
Lin is still fairly young at 26 years old, so he could slot nicely into the starting lineup or a primary backup position as the Knicks attempt to return to prominence.
Brian Geltzeiler of SiriusXM NBA Radio is among those who would like to see the reunion simply so Knicks fans will have to embrace Linsanity once again:
There is no question that Lin's star power was overinflated during his previous stint with the Knicks, but, at the very least, he is a serviceable player at a position New York has to address.
Perhaps returning to the Knicks would put too much pressure on Lin to repeat what he accomplished a few years ago, but the fact remains that he played his best basketball in New York, and signing there would provide him with a great chance to play big minutes.
Two-time All-Star forward David West is coming off a disappointing 2014-15 campaign. His production was down, and the Indiana Pacers missed the playoffs, but he stands to cash in during free agency due to his impressive track record.
According to Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, it is likely the Knicks will secure the services of the 34-year-old veteran:
New York is in an interesting situation. It should probably be rebuilding with young players, but it also needs to appease Melo, which is what Knicks president Phil Jackson is seemingly trying to do by making it clear that he wants to build an immediate winner.
Per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Knicks are in line to pursue several other big-name free agents in addition to West:
New York probably needs to land an elite big such as LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers or Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies to take a step forward in 2015-16, but West may be the contingency plan if none of that comes together.
West is a solid veteran; however, he looks to be on the downside of his career after averaging just 11.7 points per game last season, which was his lowest output since 2004-05.
The former Xavier star could be a nice complementary option alongside Anthony, but the Knicks aren't likely to suddenly become a playoff team with him serving as their No. 2 player offensively.
West will be a nice signing if New York is able to pair him with a bigger catch, but bringing him in probably won't be worth it if a more significant signing proves elusive.
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