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Dallas Mavericks: The Latest On LaMarcus Aldridge And DeAndre Jordan

By Cole Mentzel

March 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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First it was Deron Williams, then Dwight Howard and then it switched to Carmelo Anthony last summer. The Dallas Mavericks are still chasing big-time free agents every summer and this year, they find themselves going after LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan.

Both players are from the state of Texas and both players are reportedly very interested in moving to a Texas-based team for the 2015-16 season.

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LaMarcus Aldridge

The Portland Trail Blazers forward was drafted in 2006 and has been in Portland ever since, but due to the team’s lack of success in the playoffs, Aldridge is looking for a new home this summer. Reports came out this past week saying that there was a “99.9 percent” chance he would be leaving the Blazers this summer.

The top three teams in contention for his services are the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and, of course, the Dallas Mavericks.

Aldridge grew up near Dallas and played college basketball at the University of Texas with the Longhorns. He’s always had houses in the DFW area and his kids live in Texas, which makes Dallas that much more appealing for him. If that wasn’t enough, Dirk Nowitzki said he would go to the bench so Aldridge would be able to start at the power forward position.

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The Mavs will have enough money to offer Aldridge a max deal this summer in their attempt to bring him to Dallas. However, they will face a tough task, since he has been showing significant interest in the Lakers and Spurs. Aldridge, who will turn 30 soon, is looking for somewhere where he knows he can win a ring since he is currently in his prime.

The Mavs will certainly get a visit with Aldridge this summer and it will most likely be in the Dallas area. The Lakers, as well as the other teams in the mix, plan on offering Aldridge a max deal consisting of four years and $80 million. The Spurs will need some more cap space if they want to add a max contract, so Tim Duncan said he will take a pay cut but they will also probably need to move Tiago Splitter at some point.

As it stands right now, Dallas is certainly not one of the “favorites” to land Aldridge but they will certainly be in the mix. We’ve seen so many players leaning towards signing with teams before they switch and end up in a completely different place. LaMarcus Aldridge is already about halfway through his career so he will definitely take his time to make sure he finds the right fit.

DeAndre Jordan

Perhaps the player that is most likely Dallas-bound this summer, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan presents an interesting situation. He was born in Houston, Texas so he has Texas roots and he played college basketball at Texas A&M.

This summer, Jordan will meet with the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks. Most experts and insiders around the league expect the only two teams with a real chance to be the Clippers and Mavericks.

The Clippers have had contending-level teams in recent seasons but have never been able to make it past the second round of the Playoffs. Losing a 3-1 lead to the Houston Rockets this year didn’t do anything to help their rep either. This summer, they made the first big trade when they acquired Lance Stephenson. Though they have superstars like Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Jordan could be looking for some new scenery to try to get closer to the ultimate goal.

If Mavs fans know anything about Chandler Parsons, it’s that he’s a great recruiter. They saw that firsthand when he persuaded Dwight Howard to come to Houston in 2013. Parsons has already said he will be big in recruiting and some think he has already formed a friendship with Jordan.

As arguably one of the best centers and best defenders in the league today, you can’t pass up a chance to sign a 26-year-old athletic freak. From his ability to finish to his explosive blocks, DeAndre Jordan will be a big time candidate for the Mavs this summer.

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Dirk Nowitzki recently had a celebrity baseball game in Frisco, Texas for the Heroes Foundation. Dez Bryant, who is searching for a contract with the Dallas Cowboys, happened to be playing. During an interview over the PA system, he told fans to blow up Aldridge and Jordan on Twitter/Instagram and tell them to come to Dallas. I checked their most recent Instagram posts and they are both flooded with comments from Dallas fans.

On Friday, insiders reported that Dez Bryant, Tony Romo and Jerry Jones would all be active in the recruiting process of both Aldridge and Jordan this summer. If anyone knows DeAndre Jordan on social media, they know he is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and is a major supporter of Dez Bryant. You wouldn’t think things like that could have an impact but family and friends are always involved in the big decision.

Tyson Chandler, who has been the center of sign-and-trade talks for the Clippers, recently said that “business is business” and that he understands the decision making process and is prepared for the future. Mans fans are aware that they could end up losing him for a second time.

Overall, though nothing is final yet, the future looks bright for the Mavs. Aldridge and Jordan are interested in Dallas which is a reason for Mavs fans to be excited. All that’s left now is negotiating a deal once July gets here.

Next: Dallas Mavericks: 2015 Draft Results And Grades

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