The Los Angeles Lakers formally signed and introduced center DeAndre Jordan on Thursday. Jordan — the latest former All-Star to join the Lakers on the veteran’s minimum — conducted a virtual press conference and spoke about teaming up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.
Jordan spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers, earning one All-Star nod (2017) and three All-NBA selections (including First Team in 2016). The 33-year old spent the last two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets after splitting his 2018-19 campaign between the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks.
Jordan averaged 9.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 67.3% shooting during his Clippers tenure and earned a four-year, $40 million contract with Brooklyn, thanks in part to his friendship with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. He started 43 games for the Nets in 2020-21 but was a DNP in the playoffs.
Earlier this month, Jordan was traded to the Detroit Pistons, who agreed to a buyout with the veteran big-man. Jordan will earn $2.6 million this season, about $1.6 million of which will be paid by the Lakers.
It’s unclear precisely what Jordan’s role will be for the Lakers, especially without knowing whether Marc Gasol will return and how often Anthony Davis will truly slide to the 5. Either way, Jordan has long been one of the most popular players in the league, and his charismatic personality will undoubtedly be a plus in the Los Angeles locker room. The Lakers are also attempting to recreate the Dwight Howard-JaVale McGee dynamic that helped them win a title in 2020.