Is DeAndre Jordan a good fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers?
By JR DePierro
![LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 26: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 26, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 26: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 26, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/68633dfac349b0099616ac21e4bfb9de8d3ed65ac2468cf2c9a1f7a45394e9ee.jpg)
As of late, rumors have been raging about the Cleveland Cavaliers making a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in order to acquire DeAndre Jordan.
There is a chance over the next few weeks we may see DeAndre Jordan in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.
Tristan Thompson and either Iman Shumpert or Channing Frye would most likely be the other players involved in the trade to make it work in terms of salary. However, according to Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer, the Los Angeles Clippers want the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick.
Assuming both sides come to an agreement, Jordan would be a good fit on the Cavaliers. This year he is averaging 15.1 rebounds per game. That’s 5.3 rebounds higher than Kevin Love’s per game average and he’s Cleveland’s the team’s leading rebounder.
Jordan is also averaging 11.6 points per game with a 65.6 field goal percentage. His size (6-foot-11, 265 lbs), and defense (1.8 blocks per game for his career) is why Cleveland ultimately wants him.
Additionally, pick-and-rolls involving Isaiah Thomas (or LeBron James) and Jordan would certainly be challenging for opposing teams to stop. Between the shooting, passing and slashing ability of Thomas and James and the screen-setting and finishing ability of Jordan (who has the highest career field goal percent of all-time), the Cavs would finally have a big who can dominate on both ends of the floor.
But where would he fit in on this Cavs team?
Cleveland would have to move Love back to power forward in order to have Jordan in the starting lineup, unless they bring Jordan off the bench. However that may not go over well with him.
More than likely, the Cavaliers will move Love to power forward and start Jordan at center. When a situation calls for a smaller lineup, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue can move Love back to center and put Jae Crowder (or Jeff Green) at power forward.
If this trade does happen, the starting lineup for the Cleveland Cavaliers would be unbelievable. Truthfully, the coaching staff would have quite the job putting different lineups together.
However, Cleveland may want to think twice before giving up the Brooklyn pick. It really could benefit them in the long run, especially if LeBron does end up leaving. Then again, who knows where the pick will land anyways. It may even end up being out of the top ten.
Regardless if and when this trade is completed, Cleveland must know that adding an athletic All-Star like Jordan can only benefit them.
Related Story: Isaiah Thomas' production shouldn't hurt Kevin Love's
*Unless otherwise referenced, all stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com