Despite being humiliated by DeAndre Jordan in 2015 when he reneged on a deal, the Dallas Mavericks went back in for him this summer and finally snapped him up. They let bygones be bygones and agreed a one-year, $23 million deal with the center who ended his 10-year stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.Jordan should provide a real boost to a team that finished with one of the worst records in the Western Conference last season at 24-58.His athleticism and shot blocking will give them a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Double-double machine
The All-Star has averaged a double-double in the last five campaigns, putting up 12.0 points and a career-high 15.2 rebounds last year.
Dirk Nowitzki is certainly excited by the arrival of the 30-year-old and believes he'll be a perfect fit in Rick Carlisle's system.
"I think he’s going to be great, I think he’s going to fit in great with coach’s system," he told Dwain Price of Mavs.com.
"The (center) is always running and rolling and protecting the rim, so we’re looking forward to him really fitting in."
The German has already stated that he's willing to give up his place in the starting line up to accommodate Jordan.
His aim is to help the team make it back to the playoffs and will make any necessary sacrifice to help them achieve it.
"Obviously, DeAndre's going to be our starter at the five position and the rest will just kind of fall in place after that," he said, per the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko.
"If (Harrison Barnes) goes back to the four or we start other ways, I have no idea as of yet. But it's a great problem to have.
"We want to be a franchise that is back in the playoffs and plays well and has fun again."
Easy baskets
Jordan is one of the best pick-and-roll players in the league and is almost unstoppable when he makes a move towards the rim.
He should get a lot of easy baskets playing alongside talented guard duo Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr.
Speaking in July, coach Carlisle also couldn't hide his delight at having the veteran on board.
“I spent a couple of hours with him and had a real constructive visit with him," Carlisle said at the Team USA minicamp in Las Vegas.
"We worked on a few things. I’m just so excited that he’s on board with us. He’s going to be great.”
If everything falls into place for the Mavericks, they could be dark horses and an exciting team to watch this year.
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