Last week the Brooklyn Nets traded DeAndre Jordan along with 4 second round picks and cash to the Detroit Pistons for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. The Pistons plan to buy out Jordan’s contract, and once he clears waivers, Jordan will join the Los Angeles Lakers.
The addition of Jordan will create a formidable big man rotation that already includes Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol as centers on the Lakers. Gasol was scheduled to return to the Lakers this season, but there have been ongoing rumors that the Spaniard has been contemplating retirement of late. If that’s the case, Jordan could step into a JaVale McGee-like role from two years ago.
Jordan has a similar skill set to McGee; he’s a good rim protector with plus athletic ability for a player his size. Last season with the Nets, he averaged 1.1 blocks per game in limited minutes. If there’s one thing the Lakers were sorely lacking last season it was rim protection. Jordan will be able to give the Lakers solid minutes as part of a rotation, while not being expected to carry much of the offensive load.
In 2020-21, Jordan averaged 7.5 rebounds per game in 21.9 minutes played. At 6-11, Jordan is active on the boards and could make a massive impact on the offensive glass for the Lakers. While the Lakers will certainly take any offense they can get out of the former Net, Jordan’s most meaningful contribution this season could be simply keeping Anthony Davis off the floor and healthy.
Jordan is not known for posting up, but he can run the floor and get easy baskets at the rim. With shot creators like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Rajon Rondo, all Jordan would have to do is get to his spots, and they’ll find him when he’s open. His ability to be a force on the offensive glass will likely lead to a hefty amount of easy put-back baskets.
Jordan is an above average pick and roll player, whose jumping ability still makes him a lob threat even at this stage of his career. The former Clipper star shot a career best 76% from the field last year for Brooklyn.
Last year, the Lakers made a big mistake not bringing back Howard and McGee; this off-season, they sought to right that mistake by addressing their lack of front court depth. With the addition of Jordan to go along with Anthony Davis, there shouldn’t be any easy baskets in the paint against the Lakers this season.
The Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors on October 19th in their season opener.
-LaMarr Fields
Twitter: @raiderway83