DeAndre Jordan's future with the Los Angeles Clippers became a lot clearer on Friday as he chose to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the center has declined his $24.1 million player option and will now test the market.The big man was deliberating over the decision until Friday's deadline where he had to inform the franchise of his choice.

Pastures new

This seemingly clears the way for the All-Star to join the Dallas Mavericks as they've expressed serious interest in acquiring him once again.

The Mavs held discussions with the Clippers in the past week over a potential trade for Jordan so he could opt in with them for next season.

But they failed to agree on a deal and they'll now hope to conclude terms with him in free agency, which begins on Sunday.

Even if the veteran had chosen to exercise his player option to remain a Clipper, the team would've actively pursued a trade for him as they're keen to rebuild and get big salaries off their books after previously parting ways with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

It seems extremely unlikely that LA will look to re-sign him and they practically made that clear with an interesting Twitter post.

The team simply tweeted, "Thank you, DeAndre" after the news broke that he was becoming a free agent.

This is an obvious indication that he has played his last game for the Clippers and will be on a new team next year.

DJ, who had spent his entire 10-year career with the organisation, averaged 12 points and a career-high 15.2 rebounds per game this past campaign.

Second try

Dallas are the early frontrunners to secure his signature but it's unclear if they'll face any competition for him.

The Mavericks are hopeful of finally landing him after he famously reneged on a deal with them in 2015 and was convinced to stay in Los Angeles in one of the most bizarre free agency sagas in NBA history.

But owner Mark Cuban is willing to let bygones be bygones and add the All-NBA pivot to a promising team.

After drafting exciting young point guard Dennis Smith Jr. in last year's draft, the Mavs added talented European sensation Luka Doncic last week.

With Harrison Barnes also on the team, the addition of Jordan would certainly improve their chances of making the playoffs in the west next season.

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