DeAndre Jordan is returning to the Los Angeles Clippers with a four-year contract, backing out of a similar deal with the Dallas Mavericks, who were scrambling early Thursday to fill the gaping hole.
Jordan agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with the Mavericks after meeting with several teams, including the New York Knicks and Clippers.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said via CyberDust he did not hear directly from Jordan, and still hadn't as of Thursday morning.
"There will be a time when I detail everything I know regarding the last 48 hours," Cuban wrote in a CyberDust message to fans without mentioning Jordan by name. "I don't think the time is right to say anything beyond the facts that he never responded to me at all yesterday. Not once. To this minute I have not heard anything from him since Tuesday night.
"More importantly, I specifically told (Wesley Matthews) that I would not hold him to his commitment if he wanted to go elsewhere. I can't print his exact response, but suffice to say he is excited to play for our Mavs:) Wes Matthews is exactly the kind of player we want in a Mavs uniform and our fans will love him
"He will be in Dallas today so if you see him give him an MFFL welcome"
Wednesday evening, several of Jordan's teammates, including forward Blake Griffin, and owner Steve Ballmer of the Clippers descended upon Jordan's home in Texas and vowed not to let him out until he signed with the team at 12:01 a.m. ET, when the league moratorium on free agent signings was lifted.
Jordan's agent, Dan Fegan, was not present at Jordan's home Thursday.
The big man initially committed to the Mavericks because he wanted a bigger role on offense. With the Clippers, he is no better than the No. 3 option on the offensive end behind Griffin and point guard Chris Paul. Jordan was the second player in NBA history to shoot 70 percent for the entire regular season (Wilt Chamberlain), but is recognized for his rebounding and shot-blocking skills.
Cuban said this week that Dallas convinced Jordan he deserved a greater role and called his skill set "Shaq like." He was fined $25,000 by the NBA for the comments because the deal was not yet official.
Instead of momentum, the Mavericks are more likely to remember this week for the moratorium and Jordan's flipped commitment. They did sign Matthews to a four-year deal but only after Monta Ellis (Indiana Pacers) and Tyson Chandler (Phoenix Suns) found new homes.
Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and four players met with Jordan on Wednesday in Houston, according to multiple reports. Chris Paul, Paul Pierce and J.J. Redick also attended.
The meeting with the Clippers was initiated after Jordan contacted Rivers on Monday night.
