Mavs Again Prepared to Pursue Jordan, Shun Chandler

Mavs owner Mark Cuban admitted it was a mistake to let Tyson Chandler go the first time.

But, apparently, he’s ready to do it again.

When NBA free agency starts this week, the Mavs will make a strong push to sign Clippers’ center DeAndre Jordan. If they sign him, they will voluntarily say farewell to Chandler – arguably the best center in franchise history – for the second time in four summers.

The argument for Jordan over Chandler, however, is pretty clear.

The Clippers’ big man is more productive, more durable and six years younger. He led the NBA in field-goal percentage in each of the past three seasons and not a night goes by during the NBA season without one of his highlight-film finishes around the rim. Jordan also led the league in rebounding the past two seasons and has finished among the top five in blocked shots. Add to that the fact that he hasn’t missed a game to injury in four years and, presto, it’s easy to understand Dallas salivating at the thought of injecting him into their rebuilding lineup.

His move to Dallas, of course, isn’t a slam dunk.

Jordan will command a max contract, and the Clippers are a legit title contender that desperately wants to keep its core together. But he’s a Houston native and Texas A&M alum who wants to play in his home state, and also cherishes the opportunity to thrive outside the shadows of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in Los Angeles. His agent – Dan Fegan – also represents Mavs’ forward Chandler Parsons. Jordan and Parsons, who are good friends, met in Houston last week with the Mavs pitching a move to Dallas.

If the Mavs swing and miss on Jordan, they’ll sheepishly turn to Chandler with a free-agent offer. And the word “settle” will become commonplace when talking about the only center to lead the Mavs to a championship.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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