The need for a long term answer at center has become crystal clear for the Phoenix Suns during this rebuilding season, but DeAndre Jordan isn’t the answer.
In the past, I have wrote about the Phoenix Suns‘ need for a long term answer at center. Soon after, I wrote about possible trade targets at the center position the Suns could use. The Suns need to find a young center to help cement the club’s young core. This isn’t too say the team shouldn’t acquire any veteran big man, just not one that will cost too much. In that regard, the Suns should stay clear of any trade that involves DeAndre Jordan coming to Phoenix.
With the option to be a free agent coming up, the Los Angeles Clippers struggling and trade rumors swirling around Jordan, it’s no surprise that he signed with a new agent. Just because Jordan appears to be available, doesn’t mean the Suns should try to deal for the big man.
Jordan’s age doesn’t fit with the team’s young core. At 29, Jordan’s numbers are down in several important categories.
| Season | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 20 | LAC | C | 53 | 13 | 14.5 | .633 | .633 | .633 | .385 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 4.3 |
| 2009-10 | 21 | LAC | C | 70 | 12 | 16.2 | .605 | .610 | .605 | .375 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 4.8 |
| 2010-11 | 22 | LAC | C | 80 | 66 | 25.6 | .686 | .688 | .686 | .452 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 7.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 7.1 |
| 2011-12 | 23 | LAC | C | 66 | 66 | 27.2 | .632 | .634 | .632 | .525 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 8.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 7.4 |
| 2012-13 | 24 | LAC | C | 82 | 82 | 24.5 | .643 | .643 | .643 | .386 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 8.8 |
| 2013-14 | 25 | LAC | C | 82 | 82 | 35.0 | .676 | .676 | .676 | .428 | 4.0 | 9.5 | 13.6 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 10.4 |
| 2014-15 | 26 | LAC | C | 82 | 82 | 34.4 | .710 | .713 | .711 | .397 | 4.8 | 10.1 | 15.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 11.5 |
| 2015-16 | 27 | LAC | C | 77 | 77 | 33.7 | .703 | .704 | .703 | .430 | 3.5 | 10.3 | 13.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 12.7 |
| 2016-17 | 28 | LAC | C | 81 | 81 | 31.7 | .714 | .717 | .714 | .482 | 3.7 | 10.1 | 13.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 12.7 |
| 2017-18 | 29 | LAC | C | 24 | 24 | 32.5 | .673 | .673 | .673 | .582 | 4.8 | 9.5 | 14.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 10.5 |
| Career | 697 | 585 | 27.8 | .677 | .678 | .677 | .434 | 3.2 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 9.2 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/11/2017.
The most worrisome stat decrease is his block average. Currently, its tied for the second lowest average of his career. Blocks indicate, a player’s defensive basketball I.Q., energy and athleticism. If a player’s blocks decrease without a major decrease in playing, it probably has to do with their energy, athleticism or a combination of both. Personally, I think it’s a combination of both. Jordan may not want to put all his energy out there on a losing team and at 29 he may already be losing some athleticism. With Jordan getting ready to cross over into his 30’s, it seems unwise to invest a lot in trade assets to acquire an aging player that needs athleticism to be elite.
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If the Suns were to engage the Clippers in trade negotiations for Jordan, the Clippers would ask a hefty price for the All-Star center. Luckily, for the Suns they might be able to drive down the Clippers price a little bit with Jordan’s player option coming up this summer. Even at a reduced price the Suns would still have to wow the Clippers with an impressive offer like the one Adam Maynes suggested.
Another issue that the Suns would have to face if they acquired Jordan would be his player option this summer. Assuming that he opts out, the Suns risk losing him or taking a good chunk of cap space away to re-sign him. Re-signing an athletic center going into his 30’s to a long term deal can be risky. Any team that signs Jordan to a long term deal next time he becomes a free agent will more than likely regret it.
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If the Phoenix Suns were competing for a playoff spot right now, then maybe a DeAndre Jordan trade would make sense. However, the team’s not ready to compete for another year or two. With Jordan’s age, trade cost and possible free agency this summer, it would be unwise for the Suns to engage in any trade talks for the center.