The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking into the possibility of shipping center Tristan Thompson to the Los Angeles Clippers for center DeAndre Jordan. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com said that the Cavaliers are evaluating whether Jordan can help them get past the Golden State Warriors or not this season. If they determine that Jordan is the key to beat the Warriors, then they will pull the trade trigger for him. Acquiring Jordan will come with a consequence as he is in the last year of his contract with the Clippers, making him just a rental for the Cavaliers.

However, Jordan has a $24 million player option for the 2018-19 NBA season that he can exercise if he finds Cleveland an ideal place to continue his career.

Compared to Thompson, the 29-year-old Jordan is far more accomplished. He is one-time All-Star, a one-time All-NBA First Team selection, and a two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. This season, Jordan is averaging 10.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for the struggling Clippers, who dropped to 6-11 this season after losing nine of their last 11 games following a 4-0 start to the season.

Clippers could deal Jordan before deadline

Earlier, Gil Alcaraz IV of Hoops Habit reported that the Clippers might trade Jordan before the deadline.

After the report came out, several teams have expressed interest in trading for the 6-foot-11 center, according to Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post. However, Bontemps reported that there could be some complications in talks involving Jordan, as the Clippers are having second thoughts about parting ways with their long-time center, who has been with the team since he was drafted 35th overall in 2008.

Jordan has career averages of 9.2 points, 10.2 boards, and 1.8 blocks in 688 games with the Clippers.

Thompson struggling for the Cavs

The 26-year-old Thompson, for his part, has not played since November 1 due to a left calf strain. Thompson, who is expected to be out for a month, is averaging 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Thompson’s numbers were a far cry from his output last season, where he averaged 8.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as the starting center. Thompson has been in and out of the starting lineup for the Cavaliers after coach Tyronn Lue decided to make Kevin Love the starting center. In 2015, Thompson signed a five-year, $82 million deal with the Cavaliers. Thompson will earn $16.4 million this season, with salaries of $17.5 million and $18.5 million in the last two years of the contract.
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