Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Rumors: DeAndre Jordan Almost Dealt By Clippers At 2018 Deadline

The Cleveland Cavaliers made three deals in the hours leading up to the 2018 NBA trade deadline, sending away six players and completely retooling a broken roster. Before executing the moves that seem to have revitalized LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference champions, general manager Koby Altman was close to making what might’ve been the biggest splash of all.

For weeks, there were rumors that the Cavs and Los Angeles Clippers had discussed a trade involving DeAndre Jordan. The two sides were nearing the framework of a deal that would’ve sent the two-time All-Star to Cleveland without including the coveted Brooklyn pick, but the Cavaliers decided not to pull the trigger.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Cleveland’s initial offer of Jae Crowder, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and the Cavs’ 2018 first-round draft pick was rebuffed because L.A. didn’t want Shumpert. That forced Altman and Clippers general manager Michael Winger to search for a third team that might be willing to take on the more than $11 million that the shooting guard is owed next season.

It sounds like an agreement might've been possible on the morning of the trade deadline with Wojnarowski reporting that the Clippers were “closing” in on a team that would take Shumpert. But the Cavs decided to execute a deal with L.A.'s other team instead, sending Frye, the draft pick and Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers, acquiring Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson in return.

Shumpert was sent to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade with Cleveland and the Utah Jazz. The Cavs acquired George Hill and Rodney Hood, trading Shumpert, Crowder and Derrick Rose. Dwyane Wade was sent to the Miami Heat in a separate deal.

Cleveland decided to make the trade with the Lakers in large part because of Jordan’s current contract. The center has one year left on his deal worth more than $24 million, though he could choose to decline the player option and become a free agent.

Altman and the Cavs wanted to make trades that would give them players that will be under contract beyond this season, and they were unwilling to offer Jordan an extension—likely more than $100 million—that would entice the 29-year-old to stay in Cleveland for multiple years. Nance is on his rookie contract for two more years, and Clarkson is owed close to $26 million over the next two seasons.

The Cavs are 3-0 since the trade deadline, winning on the road against the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder in their last two games. James is averaging 27.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game during that time.