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According to reports, the Brooklyn Nets have reached a deal with DeAndre Jordan in order to save money.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Nets will send Jordan, four future second round draft picks, and $5.78million in cash to Detroit for Jahlil OKafor and Sekou Doumbouya.
Wojnarowski said that the Pistons would "work through" Jordan's contract buyout, and that the Nets will be able to save $47 million on salary and taxes.
$19.7 million is still owed to the three-time All NBA center for the next two seasons.
Alex Schiffer and Shams Charania, both of The Athletic, reported that a buyout was in discussion and that Jordan was "increasingly likely" to remain with the organization. Schiffer reported Aug. 25, that Brooklyn was unsuccessfully selling Jordan around the NBA.
The Nets were responsible for $306.4 million in luxury-tax payments and payroll. This move was likely to ease their financial burden.
After suffering an irregular heartbeat, LaMarcus Aldridge, a retired NBA player, decided to return to the NBA.
Charania reported Thursday that Aldridge was cleared by the doctor to return to the team. The Nets are the favourite to sign him.
Steve Nash seemed to lose favor with Jordan as well. In the final six games, he played 5:04 and didn't participate in any playoffs. In 57 games, the 33-year old averaged 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds as well as 1.1 blocks. He shot 76.3 percent from the line.
The Nets were just inches away from defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in Eastern Conference Semifinals. Jordan was confined to the bench. Brooklyn could have eliminated the Bucks had Kyrie Irving and James Harden been fully healthy.
It's no surprise that the front office is confident in the roster's title credentials even without Jordan. The Nets are likely to be the favorite to win the East as long as Harden Irving, Kevin Durant, and Irving are available. FanDuel lists them as having the best odds of winning the NBA Finals (+230), beating the Los Angeles Lakers (+400), and the reigning champion Bucks (+850).
However, it is possible that rim protection will be a problem once the postseason begins. Nicolas Claxton is likely to be tested if he must defend Joel Embiid, or serve as the last line when Giannis Antetokounmpo attempts to attack the basket.
Jordan is not an elite rebounder or defender inside and it's difficult to play him in playoff series.
He can still be useful in a limited role, and is an obvious solution to counteracting other centers. NBA.com reports that opponents shot 58.4 per cent within six feet of him when they were matched up against him.
Sean Marks, general manager, may be interested in how things are with their current centers. If it proves difficult, Aldridge and another big man will be added to the team's middle season.
Jordan could be a free agent, however, if he is able to reach a buyout agreement with the Pistons. His resume suggests that he will be seeking a position with a title contender. Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report, reported that the Los Angeles Lakers would consider him if he were sold to the Nets.
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