DeAndre Jordan Opts Out Of Clippers Contract

By Connor Aylward
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Updated: June 29, 2018

The final member of what was thought to be the Clippers core for the future has just departed from the team.

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan will opt-out of his deal, source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2018

Jordan decided Friday to opt out of his $24.1 million option making him an unrestricted free agent. Jordan came to the Clippers as the 35th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft. He’s departing as the team’s most tenured player, having played more games in a Clippers uniform than anyone else in franchise history. Jordan also now holds a number of other team records, including rebounds (7988), blocks (1277) and field goal percentage (.673).

The departure of Jordan is a disappointing one, but not one the team didn’t expect. Earlier this week they traded Austin Rivers for Marcin Gortat in an effort to have a backup plan at the Center position if Jordan did indeed decide it best to opt out.

With Jordan leaving the team was able to free up some cap space moving forward. Putting them firmly in the hunt for key players in what seems to be a strong 2019 free agency class.

The Clippers are another team that could have significant room in 2019. Los Angeles projects to be close to $60M for next summer if they renounce their free agent holds. https://t.co/ZBXFJLlq78

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2018

Despite the free agency madness that took place in 2015 when Jordan spurned the Mavericks at the last minute to remain with Los Angeles, rumors are indicating that Dallas remains the leading candidate to sign the big man.

Regardless of where Jordan ends up, thank you DeAndre Jordan for all you have done for the franchise and for the community in Los Angeles and best of luck moving forward! It seems pretty safe to say that one day his number 6 will be hanging in the rafters.

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