Los Angeles Clippers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
2. DeAndre Jordan to be traded
With three of the Clippers’ starting lineup departing since the end of the last season, Jordan is the prime candidate to be the next in line.
Recently turned 29, Jordan has two years remaining on the $88 million deal he signed in the summer of 2015. Moving forward, it’s going to be interest to track just how he fares minus the playmaking brilliance of Chris Paul.
Last season, Jordan averaged 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game. He led the league in field goal percentage for the third consecutive season at 71.4 percent, with 25.2 percent of his made field goals being assisted by Paul.
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But the main flaw that remains in Jordan’s game is his free throw shooting. Last season, Jordan shot at a 48.2 percent clip from the charity stripe on 5.2 attempts per game. So while Jordan played in 81 regular season games, he appeared in the fourth quarter on just 59 occasions. During these appearances, he averaged just 6.3 minutes per fourth quarter while posting 3.0 points and 2.7 rebounds.
So despite being named an All-Star for the first time last season, head coach Doc Rivers is still finding it increasingly difficult to play his All-Star center crucial minutes down the stretch of games due to his free throw deficiencies. Even with Hack-A-Shaq drastically down after recent rule changes, Jordan can often represent as a liability when on the floor.
Furthermore, the additions made by the Clippers this offseason can certainly pave the way for a possible Jordan trade. The addition of Gallinari represents a real chance for Griffin to spend more at the 5-spot and Gallinari at the 4, allowing the Clippers to become a far more versatile offensive team.
In addition, the Clippers signed free-agent center Willie Reed, and acquired Montrezl Harrell as part of the Paul trade. In his five starts at center last season for the Miami Heat, Reed averaged 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 28.5 minutes per game. This included a monster 22-point, 18-rebound performance against the Phoenix Suns.
Meanwhile, although undersized at 6’8″, Harrell is a tenacious player at both ends of the floor. In his 14 starts last season for the Rockets, Harrell averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game, the highlight being a 29-point performance on 10-of-14 shooting against, ironically, the Clippers.
So considering Jordan’s age, his free throw inadequacies, and the backups at their disposal, the Clippers wouldn’t be diligent if they didn’t consider moving Jordan for another quality wing with defensive capabilities.