NBA Trade Rumors: Newest Info on DeAndre Jordan and More Players on Block

The Los Angeles Clippers made the playoffs just four times between 1984 and 2011 after moving from San Diego. However, a new era featuring point guard Chris Paul, power forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan brought unprecedented success to the franchise this decade, as the team proceeded to make the postseason for six straight seasons. During that time span, their lowest winning percentage was .606.

However, the Clips never advanced past the second round of the playoffs, and the team traded Paul in the offseason and Griffin midseason to kick off a rebuild.

Jordan seems like the next logical choice to change cities in advance of the NBA's trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. We'll take a look at some recent chatter surrounding the stout rebounder in addition to reviewing some rumors regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers.

DeAndre Jordan

A lot of talk is floating around the 29-year-old Jordan, who is averaging 14.9 rebounds per game this season.

Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Portland Trail Blazers and Clippers got involved in discussions:

"The Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers have discussed a trade involving L.A. center DeAndre Jordan but a formal offer was never made, according to NBA officials who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The Clippers have been seeking a first-round draft pick, financial flexibility and young players in return for Jordan, according to the executives."

Sam Amick of USA Today said that the Cleveland Cavaliers proposed dealing their first-round pick (originally owned by the Brooklyn Nets) in addition to big man Tristan Thompson and shooting guard J.R. Smith. That deal reportedly has not piqued the Clips' interest.

Zach Lowe of ESPN also reported that, per sources, "the Wizards have investigated the market for Jordan without gaining any traction."

It seems like a matter of when and not if the Clips deal Jordan with the team already trading two members of their primary three-player core within the past year.

Of the three aforementioned teams, the Cavs would be the best fit as they need a boost of energy, especially after being embarrassed on national television by the Houston Rockets in a 120-88 loss on Saturday. However, they are saddled with long and expensive contracts that other teams may not be willing to absorb.

Washington is the most interesting destination, as the Wizards are now tied for third in the Eastern Conference with the Cleveland Cavaliers after winning their past five games.

Although the Boston Celtics look like the best team in the conference (with the Toronto Raptors not far behind), Washington could give both teams a run for their money with an elite rebounder like Jordan in the middle. The big man could also work well with point guard John Wall, who would be feeding Jordan numerous alley-oops every game.

It will be interesting to see where Jordan is dealt, especially if it's to a contender looking to make a deep playoff push.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer offered some insight on some Cavs' trade talk as the deadline looms. First, he noted that the Cavs are willing to deal their first-round pick from Brooklyn. However, they aren't looking to do so for a short-term fix. That may preclude a trade for Jordan, whose contract runs out in 2019 (however, he can opt out after this year).

Per Tankathon, that pick would be the eighth selection in the draft, although the lottery could likely shake that up a bit. Still, currently, the worst possible spot for that pick would be No. 11.

That selection could be a hot commodity, as this year's potential crop of 2018 draftees has tons of star potential and depth. Per nbadraft.net, the Cavs are mocked to take Duke's 6'10" freshman big man Wendell Carter, who is averaging 14.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and has drawn comparisons to Juwan Howard and Al Horford.

That draft pick has to be enticing for teams, although the Cavs could just hold on to it and look to rebuild for the future as well.

Elsewhere, the Cavs are looking to trade J.R. Smith, per Pluto. He will be a legend in Cleveland forever as a key starter on the 2015-16 team that won the city its first pro championship since 1964. However, the Cavs are in a free fall (7-13 in their last 20 games), and Smith is having a tough year, averaging just 7.9 points per game on 37.6 percent shooting.

The problem for teams is that he has an exorbitant eight-figure contract. As Pluto notes, Smith has $14,700,000 going his way for 2018-19 alone.

Ultimately, the Cavs won't be standing pat at the trade deadline, especially given their recent rough stretch. It's just a matter of who goes where.