Report: Mavs would consider Roy Hibbert if they can't land DeAndre Jordan
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The Los Angeles Clippers' future is hanging in the balance as DeAndre Jordan meets with various teams during the early stages of the NBA's free-agency period.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are hoping the 6-foot-11 big man decides to spurn their Western Conference rival in favor of joining Dirk Nowitzki and company.
Should their attempts to lure the exuberant shot-blocker come up short, the Mavs will reportedly shift their focus to Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. With the Pacers agreeing to a deal with former Mavericks guard Monta Ellis on Thursday, a sign-and-trade of Ellis for Hibbert is expected to be discussed.
The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is coming off a disappointing 2014-15 campaign, as his team failed to make the playoffs. Pacers teammate David West, who opted out of his current deal in hopes of landing with a contender, said Thursday that he wasn't a fan of the team's treatment of Hibbert.
The Georgetown product recently opted in to the final year of his contract, putting himself in a position to earn $15.5 million in 2015-16.
Jordan, a Texas native, has already met with the Mavs in addition to the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Having already wined and dined Jordan, including an orchestrated appearance by Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, Clippers coach and president Doc Rivers will have to do his best to lead his defensive anchor away from other teams, the Mavericks in particular, and bring him back to L.A.
Many believe that Jordan will ultimately choose between the Clippers and Mavericks, with L.A. feeling as if it has a "50-50" shot entering its meeting with the seven-year center.
ESPN's Jeff Goodman chimed in with a report of his own, claiming that unrestricted free agent Jordan Hill, who last played with the Lakers, may also be an option should the Mavs miss out on Jordan.