Brooklyn Nets: DeAndre Jordan still has role on team as rotation time fades
By Mike Luciano
The Brooklyn Nets had to make some adjustments to the rotation after the additions of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge to the squad, and it appears as if veteran big DeAndre Jordan all but lost his spot on the floor, as he hasn’t played a minute of basketball since Aldridge came to town.
Jordan has been averaging 7.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this year while shooting an absurd 77% from the field, but he has frequently found himself as arguably the most mocked player on this Nets squad due to his declining post defense and inability to impact the game on the offensive end.
With Aldridge and Griffin arriving on the squad, Nicolas Claxton’s defense giving him an edge, and Alize Johnson’s impressive start, Jordan has been frozen out in Brooklyn. Despite his lack of playing time, the Nets haven’t discussed a Jordan buyout.
Despite the fact that Claxton and Aldridge have taken over the roles of fourth-quarter closers, the Nets are keeping Jordan around as both insurance and another grizzled veteran to steady this team come playoff time.
a reminder that DeAndre Jordan will make $19.8 million over the next two seasons
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 2, 2021
DeAndre Jordan still has a role on the Brooklyn Nets
The only reason Jordan is in Brooklyn is due to the fact Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving chose to take less than the max in order to ensure he could sign a four-year, $40 million contract. With two more years left on that deal, Jordan appears to be a Net for the long haul.
Griffin and Aldridge are both over 30, and one unfortunate bad landing might sideline them for a few games. If that happens, they have a former rebounding champ who should be able to hoover up boards and finish off easy chances at the rim.
Aldrige and Griffin have proven to be quality pickups for the Nets, but they can struggle when they have to play some of the more physical bigs in the league. If opposing teams want to rely on brute force in the post to win games, the Nets have a solid change of pace option in Jordan.
Considering how often Steve Nash tinkers with the lineup, a return isn’t out of the question.
Jordan hasn’t been the dominant center that the Nets expected he would be, but he has proven that he can still secure rebounds at an above-average rate.
That skill, coupled with the fact that his voice as a veteran in the locker room will undoubtedly carry some weight, all serve as reasons why the Nets aren’t even thinking about buying him out. Jordan is here for the long haul, but time will tell if he starts anytime soon.
