UPDATE: After only a couple of hours after the initial report, it’s now nearly official that DeAndre Jordan will be signing with the Los Angeles Lakers after he is bought out by the Detroit Pistons. Adrian Wojnarowski had it first, with Shams Charania confirming as well.
Upon formal completion of a buyout with the Detroit Pistons, center DeAndre Jordan intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Jordan would have to first clear waivers to become a free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 3, 2021
DeAndre Jordan is expected to sign a one-year, $2.6M deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after he clears waivers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 3, 2021
Original story:
DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked yet again. It appears that Brooklyn is signaling Jordan’s time as coming to an end with them. This week, the Nets were a landing spot for the returning LaMarcus Aldridge. Last season, Aldridge abruptly left the team due to a heart ailment.
Now, the Nets have found a trading partner to relieve them of Jordan’s services. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had the report of their trade with the Detroit Pistons, and included an extra Lakers’ nugget on top of it:
Again, Pistons plan is to negotiate a contract buyout with the DeAndre Jordan and allow him to become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. In that scenario, the Lakers will be a serious contender, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/WjbY2ch41h
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 3, 2021
The Jordan news seems consistent with reports about Marc Gasol. His return to the Lakers is very much up in the air. It has been rumored that he is mulling another NBA season. Nothing has yet to be made official on that front. But interest in Jordan would mean either the reports are true, or they want to carry three centers this season.
Jordan signed with the Brooklyn Nets before the 2019-20 season. The deal was four years for $39 million. He was seen as a cog that got Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on board to make their way to New York’s other team. Jordan averaged 7.5 points and rebounds in 57 games last year. It’s to note that he did fall out of the rotation with them.
