Los Angeles Clippers towering center DeAndre Jordan is rumored to be interested in joining Western Conference powerhouse Houston Rockets.
The 29-year-old Jordan, who was picked by the Clippers as the 35th overall pick in the 2008 draft, averaged a double-double this season unloading 12.0 points and 15.2 boards. He has career averages of 9.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
According to USA Today's Kelly Iko, Jordan talked to a few Rockets players following the heated altercation between Houston and Los Angeles in January. The report added that Jordan expressed his dissatisfaction with the Clippers.
Jordan currently has a $24.1 million player option for the 2018-2019 season but Iko is certain that the former All-Star will decline it to become an unrestricted free agent. He is set to enter his 11th year in the upcoming season.
DeAndre Jordan For Clint Capela
Sources close to the situation said that the Rockets and Clippers are currently talking a trade revolving around Jordan and big man Clint Capela. The 24-year-old Capela is coming off a career year averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.
Capela also played an instrumental part in the Rockets' playoff run this year unleashing 12.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The Rockets managed to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz before bowing to the Warriors.
At 29, Jordan is currently in his prime and has all the tools necessary to make the Rockets a legitimate contender for the title. Besides Capela, the Rockets' center position is currently made up Nene, Tarik Black, Chinanu Onuaku, and Chinese Zhou Qi.
However, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has stated that they are not open to trading Capela. He added that they will be matching any offer sheet to keep the Swiss big men.
Meanwhile, Capela is also among the finalists for the NBA Most Improved Player Award. The announcement of the winner will be on June 25.
Dallas No Longer Interested
With Jordan rumored to be showing interest in joining the Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks have immediately pulled their name out of the sweepstakes. Reports say that the Mavericks does not have enough cap to pay Jordan's $24.1 million worth of contract this season.
Dallas has also made it clear that they will not make a run for Rockets' Chris Paul and Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons in this year's free agency. Instead, the Mavericks are keen on signing either Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle or free agent DeMarcus Cousins.
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