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DeAndre Jordan a Washington Wizard?
The possibility would be great and enticing for the Wizards, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference and just percentage points out of third place. Zach Lowe of ESPN reported on Monday, the Wizards have been engaging interest in a trade for the Los Angeles Clippers center. However, the idea still is a long shot.
The Wizards have investigated the market for Jordan without gaining any traction, sources say.
Lowe speculated the Wizards could be kicking around a deal that would be centered around Marcin Gortat and Kelly Oubre along with a first-round draft pick. It’s safe to assume no one is wary of Gortat leaving. However, the possibility of having to part ways with a promising Oubre is hard to fathom. Lowe explained why Oubre would be part of a deal.
Oubre is up for an extension after this season. Washington will have trouble paying Oubre, Bradley Beal, John Wall and Otto Porter.
Of course, they’d also have trouble paying Jordan, Beal, Wall and Porter. (They could trade Porter, but it’s unclear if the Clippers have any interest.)
Yes, the Wizards would have a tough time paying their big four, as Oubre is having a breakthrough season. He is averaging career-highs with 11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He also is shooting a career-best 43.6 percent from the field, and 38.3 percent on three pointers. He is developing into a solid two-way player and the 22-year old has loads of potential.
Trading Oubre for a one-year rental, may be a tough pill to swallow. Jordan has a player option for the 2018-19 season and could easily become a free agent at the end of this season. Washington is in the heat of the playoffs race and surprisingly are 5-0 without its star player John Wall, who is out with a knee injury.
The image of Washington having Wall rejoin a team that includes Jordan with Bradley Beal and Otto Porter seems great. But, at what cost?
There are have signs that Gortat is not happy in Washington. Recently, reports surfaced that guard Jodie Meeks prefers to be traded ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, as he has grown unhappy with his reserve role on the team. It’s easy to say trade Meeks and Gortat. However, you’ll need suitors. The Clippers are reportedly wanting young players and draft picks in exchange for Jordan. Neither Meeks nor Gortat are young.
Per Lowe’s report, teams like Houston and Portland have backed away from making a deal for Jordan. And with no commitment from the center beyond this season, it will be hard to gauge a strong interest. Nonetheless, the Wizards are keeping their eyes open in case some light at the end of the tunnel peaks through for DeAndre Jordan.
