UPDATE: According to ESPN sources, DeAndre Jordan has signed a 4-year, $88 million contract with the Clippers, after agreeing in principle to join the Dallas Mavericks last week.
The process of signing Jordan was no well-kept secret. The events of yesterday played out like a soap opera yesterday, beginning with ESPN reporter Marc Stein‘s announcement that the Clippers were flying down to Houston to attempt to make DeAndre Jordan change his mind about signing a 5-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Then there was the emoji battle on Twitter, reports that Jordan was crying during the Clips’ video presentation, and before you know it, the Clippers claimed they’d had a commitment.
Blake Griffin tweeted a picture of a chair holding a door closed, insinuating that they were indeed holding Jordan hostage until he was eligible to re-sign at midnight. Paul Pierce, who hasn’t yet played a game for the Clippers, tweeted “that’s why they brought me here,” with a picture of Jordan signing his Clippers contract with Doc Rivers grinning from ear-to-ear behind him.
Totally awesome.
ORIGINAL STORY:
ESPN sources are reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to convince their former center, DeAndre Jordan, to change his mind, not sign a long-term deal with the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow, and return to the L.A. Free agents are not able to sign deals till July 9. Marc Stein is reporting that point guard Chris Paul, with whom Jordan has had several reported issues–partially his alleged reason for leaving—is “pushing” for DeAndre to change his mind. ESPN anchor Michael Eaves is reporting that prominent members of the Clippers organization, including Paul, Doc Rivers, Steve Ballmer and Paul Pierce, have flown down to Houston to meet with Jordan, with the goal of completing the deal by 11pm.
ESPN sources say Chris Paul has been pushing hard to change DeAndre Jordan’s mind in recent days and is expected to join today’s meeting
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2015
Jordan had agreed to a 4-year deal worth $80 million with the Dallas Mavericks last week, and aside from the reported Chris Paul drama, it was rumored that Jordan also wanted to be more involved in the offense. We’ll have to wait and see if Jordan will make one of the craziest move in free-agency history, but the next few hours will surely be a whirlwind.
Already, reports are trickling out from Jordan’s meeting claiming that he was so torn by the decision in front of him, he cried while watching the Clippers’ video presentation.
Source says that DJ has been emotionally tormented by this decision. A video commissioned by team had him crying during initial meeting.
— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) July 8, 2015
Wow. More updates as soon as we get them.
King Jut (@KingJut92)
