The Los Angeles Clippers are planning to trade center DeAndre Jordan before the deadline, and while the Washington Wizards were one of the teams interested in him, they have decided to stop pursuing a deal for him.
ESPN's Zach Low reports that Washington "investigated the market for Jordan without gaining any traction" because of the hurdles they'd have to overcome to get a deal done.
The Wizards have investigated the market for Jordan without gaining any traction, sources say. A package of Marcin Gortat, Jason Smith (perhaps heading to a third team), Kelly Oubre and a first-round pick has long been my favorite realistic Jordan package. Oubre is up for an extension after this season. Washington will have trouble paying Oubre, Bradley Beal, John Wall and Otto Porter.
Of course, they'd also have trouble paying Jordan, Beal, Wall and Porter. (They could trade Porter, but it's unclear if the Clippers have any interest.) Interest leaguewide would be higher if Jordan signaled he might opt into his deal for next season, but that hasn't happened, sources say. The salary mechanics between Washington and LA are tricky; the Wiz are over the tax, the Clippers barely under it.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks are thought to be the most serious suitors for Jordan, who is averaging 11.5 points and 14.9 rebounds per game.
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Washington has been looking for a long-term solution at center with Marcin Gortat getting up there in age (33) and reportedly contemplating retirement after next season. Gortat also wants to be traded to the Orlando Magic, where he spent the first three and a half seasons of his career and served as the backup center on the team that went to the 2009 NBA Finals.
Gortat is averaging 8.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.
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