The Cavaliers are the latest team to express interest in DeAndre Jordan ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, according to a report from USA Today's Sam Amick and Jeff Zilgitt.
In its attempt to land Jordan, Cleveland is reportedly offering its own 2018 first-round pick — rather than the more desirable Brooklyn pick, which could land in the top 10 — along with "unwanted" contracts. The Clippers center would immediately add rebounding and rim protection to a Cavs team that has struggled defensively throughout the season, but keep in mind Jordan, who is averaging 11.6 points and 14.9 rebounds per game this season, could become a free agent this summer, as he has a player option for 2018-19 worth just over $24 million.
TRADE RUMORS: Top targets, latest news ahead of deadline
Decreases in the production of Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson have led to their contracts earning the distinction of being undesirable. Shumpert is owed roughly $11 million next season (assuming he opts in), while Smith and Thompson are under contract until 2020; Smith and Thompson are both set to earn over $30 million each in the final two seasons of their contracts. While the money would match if these players were included in a deal for Jordan, there would be a slight imbalance in returns.
If the Clippers’ trades of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul serve as any indicator, a pairing of undesirable contracts and a late first-round pick should not be enough for the Cavs to land a player of Jordan’s caliber. Cleveland would likely have to part ways with Brooklyn’s draft pick in addition to a young player with upside like Cedi Osman.
With LeBron James’ free agency looming, Cleveland’s front office is under immense pressure to make moves to improve the Cavs’ roster in a span of four days. Do not count Cleveland out, though, as the franchise has a recent history of making some surprisingly impressive late season acquisitions.
The last few days before the Feb. 8 trade deadline will tell how much of a risk Cavs general manager Koby Altman is (or isn't) willing to take.
