Somebody better order in Thai food, DeAndre Jordan has some house guests.
The Clippers came over to Jordan’s Houston home this afternoon to try and salvage their summer and chance at contending. Owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers, plus Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Paul Pierce pitched Jordan on changing his mind and re-signing with Clippers — and now like your drunk uncle on Christmas they will not leave. The Clippers are staying until he signs on the line that is dotted.
Jordan told then he would re-sign with the Clippers, going back on his verbal agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports. Dallas owner Mark Cuban wants to meet with Jordan, Jordan’s agent Dan Fegan would like to get in the door, and none of it is happening (although he has to eventually to certify the contract). Jordan isn’t even taking phone calls from Cuban or Chandler Parsons. Here’s the latest reports.
Story going online with @ramonashelburne: DeAndre Jordan indicates to Clips he intends to stay BUT team reps not leaving DJ until he signs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2015
So far, Clippers able to keep everyone else out of house, including Cuban, agents. Everyone. They're in four-corners until midnight Eastern.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 9, 2015
Clippers believe DJ is returning to LA but I'm told they are staying at his house until he can sign at midnight.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 9, 2015
In story with @ramonashelburne we also report Mavs now fear they won't now get audience with Jordan as Clips have essentially surrounded him
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2015
The Clippers are not taking any chances. If Doc Rivers was building a moat around DJ’s home I wouldn’t be shocked at this point. It’s gotten to the point Blake Griffin is winning twitter with jokes.
This is a violation of the unwritten NBA code that once a player commits to a team they are off-limits — there are a number of other teams not happy about this. Plus other teams fear the cascade effect — will Dallas with its newfound cap space try to poach other guys that agreed to deals? There is concern this could become college football recruiting, where the first verbal commitment doesn’t stop the recruiting efforts of rivals.
If there is blame it is on Jordan — he made a choice, changed his mind, now will not stand face-to-face with the team he’s breaking up with and tell them.
The Clippers do not care. They note that Jordan started this — he called Doc Rivers and players saying he was unsure. Plus, let’s be honest, people are far more likely to bend/ignore rules when more is on the line, and for the Clippers their shot at contending for a title is on the line here.
