Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons to be excited for the 2018-19 season
By Amaar Burton
4. DeAndre Jordan is finally in Dallas
It took a few years longer than expected, but DeAndre Jordan has come home and is a member of the Mavericks.
In the summer of 2015, Jordan was a free agent coming off a season in which he made the All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team, led the league in rebounding and field-goal percentage, and finished fourth in blocked shots for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavs made Jordan a top priority and the Texas native verbally agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with Dallas.
Then, some of Jordan’s L.A. teammates and coaches famously popped up at the 6-foot-11 center’s home and talked him out of signing with the Mavs, and into staying with them.
No doubt frustrated and probably embarrassed, Cuban and the Mavs apparently didn’t hold it against Jordan. When he became a free agent again this summer, Cuban was right there to sign Jordan to a one-year, $22.8 million contract.
At 30 years old, Jordan is still one of the league’s most explosive athletes. He is one year removed from his lone All-Star Game appearance in 2017, and last season he averaged 12.0 points and 15.2 rebounds per game.
Jordan is also durable, having missed only 11 regular-season games dating back to the 2011-12 season.