:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64083895/1128359104.jpg.0.jpg)
Marc Stein reported Monday that the Nets are looking into signing Knick free DeAndre Jordan as part of their plan to recruit Kevin Durant. Stein broke the story in a series of tweets...
The Nets are exploring the feasibility of signing Kevin Durant's close friend DeAndre Jordan in free agency, league sources say, in hopes that would make the prospect of teaming up in Brooklyn with Kyrie Irving even more enticing to Durant
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2019
The Knicks, of course, hung onto DeAndre Jordan after acquiring him from Dallas in the Porzingis blockbuster in February and have shown interest in re-signing Jordan depending on how the roster shakes out -- interest that naturally rises if Durant chooses Madison Square Garden
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2019
One knowledgeable source told NetsDaily that the two are “very close.”
Jordan, who turns 31 next month, averaged a double-double last season, playing 69 games for the Mavericks and Knicks. He averaged 11.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks despite losing minutes at the end of season to promising Nets rookie Mitchell Robinson.
The 6’11” Texas A&M product has been a three-time All-NBA center, a one-time All-Star and two-time NBA rebounding leader. He also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in the 2016 Olympics. His teammates included both Durant, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler.
Stein did not describe what “exploring the feasibility” entails, but at Monday’s press conference to introduce the Nets draft picks, Sean Marks said Brooklyn intends to add “size” during the off-season.
Marks was asked if the Nets will prioritize signing a “big strong guy” following their problems with Philly’s bigs during the playoffs. “I think adding size is certainly something we’ll look at as the summer transpires, but you never know what happens in the future,” Marks responded.
The Nets have a back-up center of their own who’s a free agent, Ed Davis. Davis has expressed a desire to return but noted that money will be his top consideration. Davis, 30, earned $4.4 million last season. The Nets, who hold Davis’ Non-Bird rights, can give him a two-year contract worth $11 million without cutting into cap space. The team is also expected to have a so-called “room exception” which would allow them to pay a play $4.8 million next season.
- Nets mulling DeAndre Jordan signing to entice Kevin Durant - Brian Lewis - New York Post