DeAndre Jordan Will Return to Clippers After Commitment to Mavericks

The Los Angeles Clippers weren't ready to say goodbye to DeAndre Jordan just yet as they announced the star center would return to Los Angeles rather than join the Dallas Mavericks.

ESPN's Marc Stein reported Jordan agreed to a four-year deal.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, owner Steve Ballmer, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick traveled to meet with Jordan in Houston. 

Prior to making a decision, Jordan initially promised the Mavericks a face-to-face meeting, according to Stein, who noted in his report that free agents don't often take additional offers after reaching a verbal agreement with a team.

After the Clippers' meeting with Jordan ended, they remained with him because Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had arrived in the city for his last-ditch effort, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. The Clippers blocked others from entering Jordan's house, including Cuban, reported Wojnarowski. Broussard added Cuban texted Jordan's family, trying to receive entry into Jordan's home.

Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas reported Jordan wouldn't take phone calls from Cuban or Mavericks player Chandler Parsons, while adding he simply was avoiding Dallas and the Clippers were keeping him company. 

Michael Eaves of ESPN reported Jordan reached out to Rivers saying he had made a mistake, triggering the team's attempt to bring him back to Los Angeles. Eaves also reported prior to the agreement with Dallas, Jordan's agent Dan Fegan posed an ultimatum to the Clippers, stating they would have to trade Paul to retain Jordan.

Eaves added Jordan had been "emotionally tormented" by the decision, and a video commissioned by the Clippers brought him to tears during the initial meeting.

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report noted the sort lobbying the Clippers did was not uncommon:

Paul's involvement was notable, because ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz revealed Jordan did not get along with the Clippers point guard. But a source of Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears noted that while Jordan and Paul aren't the "best of friends," the two spoke regularly throughout the free-agency period.

Broussard went a step further, noting, per sources, that Paul thought Jordan and he were "brothers".

Jordan's tenure with the Clippers has been very beneficial to both parties. He's developed into a player worthy of a max contract, leading the NBA in field-goal percentage the last three years and total rebounds the last two years. 

Jordan is a difference-making talent at a valuable position and has changed the dynamic of two teams in the Western Conference with his decision.