Nets aim for buyout of DeAndre
As the season gets closer, DeAndre Jordan’s odds of being on Nets’ roster get slimmer.
The Post has reported that the Nets have tried to move him via trade, but, having failed that, could look to buy him out. And despite recent reports that Jordan wasn’t interested in accepting a buyout, The Athletic on Monday reported he and the Nets are actively discussing a separation agreement.
The Nets and the
6-foot-11,
265-pound
Jordan “are working toward parting ways via contract buyout,” The
Athletic reported, which is hardly a shock at this point.
Jordan did not play in any of the final 16 games of the season, including all 12 in the playoffs. Although the 33-year-old is still an imposing figure, vicious dunker and ferocious rebounder, his mobility has eroded and he’s essentially limited to an old-school drop-coverage game defensively. He doesn’t fit the new switching scheme that the Nets installed upon the arrival of head coach Steve Nash.
Blake Griffin started down the stretch at center and is expected to again this coming season. The younger Nic Claxton is a perfect scheme fit with his unique ability to switch 1-through-5. And the Nets used a first-round draft pick on rookie Day’Ron Sharpe, a strong offensive rebounder, who is the same size as Jordan and fills the same bigbodied role.
Jordan signed with the Nets in 2019 in a package deal with friends Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. His four-year, $40 million contract was always going to be worrisome on the back end, but it was simply accepted as part of the cost of building a superteam.
Now, Jordan has two years and $19.7 million left on that deal, including $9.9 million this season.
The Athletic also reported the Nets were interested in signing Paul Millsap, although sources have indicated that move is unlikely. The Nets only have a veteran minimum (and a two-way) to offer, and the 36year-old forward is believed to want more than that. The Bulls, Clippers and Warriors were also listed as possible landing spots for Millsap.