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Report: Clippers looking at Stoudemire to replace Jordan at center

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

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Replacing DeAndre Jordan will be no simple task for the Los Angeles Clippers after their 6-foot-11 center agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year, $80-million deal.

He was the perfect five for the Clippers' system, running up and down the floor with ease while catching lobs from teammate Chris Paul - who may have been one of the main reasons why he decided to leave.

President of basketball operations and head coach Doc Rivers has begun his search for Jordan's successor, with veteran Amar'e Stoudemire being on his wish list.

The two are expected to speak about the open role Sunday, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Stoudemire spent the second half of the 2014-15 season with the Mavericks after being signed by the team prior to the trade deadline following a buyout with the New York Knicks. In 23 appearances with Dallas, the 32-year-old averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds on 58.1 percent shooting.

Signing pre-knee surgery Stoudemire would be quite the coup for the Clippers, as he could relive the glory days of his career when he was finishing alley-oops and fast breaks alongside two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash with the Phoenix Suns, establishing himself as one of the league's premier scorers.

It's a shame that version of him no longer exists, and hasn't for quite some time.

There just aren't a lot of feasible options still available on the market if Stoudemire, who's better suited to play power forward, is near the top of the pecking order. JaVale McGee, who the Clippers are also interested in signing, also has his share of red flags due to injury, although he's five years younger than Stoudemire with far more upside.

Rivers could always move Blake Griffin to center and roll with a small-ball offense, even though that kind of lineup would probably get eaten alive in the paint.

Whether it be Stoudemire, McGee or someone else entirely through free agency, one thing is for sure: the Clippers are going to miss Jordan a lot next season.

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