The Los Angeles Lakers need all the help they can get and one NBA player on their radar is said to be DeAndre Jordan of the New York Knicks. The 30-year-old center found himself in Gotham following that trade involving Kristaps Porzingis.
Jordan was sent along with Wes Matthews and Dennis Smith Jr. plus two future first-round picks to the Knicks by the Mavericks in exchange for Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Trey Burke, NBA.com reported. The move was seen as a move to create cap space for New York who is believed to be making a big splash in the summer. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are two of the many big names that the Knicks have their eyes on after this season.
http://www.nba.com/article/2019/01/31/kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade
As of this writing, Jordan remains with the Knicks alongside Dennis Smith Jr. Only Wes Matthews has been waived so far and the 32-year-old eventually joined the Indiana Pacers. Incidentally, earlier speculations believed Jordan would be waived as well. Surprisingly this has not happened.
However, that has not stopped speculations on Jordan possibly being let go by the Knicks. While many see his retention as a sign that he is part of New York's future plans and the fact that he is friends with Durant, the Bleacher Report reported.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2821717-buyout-candidates-lakers-should-target-to-get-lebron-james-to-the-playoffs
But it wasn't too long ago that Jordan mentioned that he is considering a return to Los Angeles. It was not mentioned if he was referring to his old team, the Clippers, or the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Clippers would make sense since he has long played under the tutelage of head coach Doc Rivers. A move to the Lakers also makes sense since he would bring the toughness in the middle and be of big help to LeBron James and company on both ends.
For the Lakers, that could only happen if the Knicks decide to waive him or if Jordan requests for it. A buyout could happen as well. As one can see, it all depends on what the second round pick of the 2008 NBA Draft truly wants.
One factor is the outlook of Jordan for this season. Obviously, the Knicks are not expected to advance beyond the NBA regular season, part of their rebuilding plans. At 30-years-old, Jordan may want to play on after the regular season and see action in the playoffs. If so, this is where complications may set in.
Seeing how the Knicks are investing in youth, Jordan doesn't exactly seem sensible. So it is likely that he may end up only as bait for New York to bring in one of the expected most sought-after guys in the summer - Kevin Durant.
