The Brooklyn Nets had been trying to move DeAndre Jordan for the past year but found no takers due to his hefty contract. That was until today when the Pistons struck a deal with the Nets that sent four first-round picks to the Motor City… a deal that saved Brooklyn a haul in cap space.
A trade seemed unlikely due to Jordan’s hefty contract, one that was part of Brooklyn’s spending spree during the 2019 offseason when Jordan signed a four-year, $39.96 million deal to play alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
However, the addition of big man Paul Milsap alongside re-signing Blake Griffin this past offseason made a buyout more and more likely. Now that LaMarcus Aldridge has reportedly been medically cleared to play again after retiring mid-season in 2021, the Nets are frontrunners to sign the big man, especially with Jordan off the roster.
Meanwhile, the Pistons will work towards a buyout with Jordan to make him a free agent. He will likely head back to the city of Los Angeles but this time as a member of the Lakers instead of the Clippers.
“I hope the Nets buy him out so he can join the Lakers’ AARP squad,” an Eastern Conference executive told Michael Scotto. “Better yet, the LAARP. I’ve never seen a roster like this.”
Over the past two seasons, Jordan has played in 113 games averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and a block per contest.
