The Los Angeles Clippers are still alive in the NBA playoffs, and they're unlikely to turn their focus to the offseason while they're still playing.
That doesn't meant the wheels haven't begun turning on a potential shakeup to their roster. The Dallas Mavericks were eliminated on Monday and the rumor mill immediately heated up with news of some Western Conference courting.
Along with their potentially mutual interest in Portland Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge, the Mavs are interested in luring defensive ace DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers' frontcourt. What's more, Jordan has made his interest in the Mavericks known, according to a report from Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas.
Jordan will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, having signed a four-year offer sheet with the Golden State Warriors in 2011 that the Clippers matched. That may have been a maneuver to maximize his income but it may also signal his willingness to play outside of L.A. if it makes the most sense.
For his part, Jordan has said he's "not going to be greedy" and sign a one-year deal in order to cash in when the salary cap explodes in 2016, so he'll likely be seeking a five-year maximum contract. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, a five-year maximum for Jordan could pay him an estimated $106.7 million, a number that only the Clippers can offer unless they agreed to a sign-and-trade.
As with all high-priced free agents, it's more likely the player stays for financial reasons, and there's been little indication the Clippers don't want to retain Jordan. But there are always exceptions and surprises.
A Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Jordan averaged 11.5 points on a league-best 71 percent from the floor with a league-high 15 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
The Mavericks employ Tyson Chandler at center but he, too, is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
