SALT LAKE CITY -- DeAndre Jordan’s apparent change of heart could change the fortunes of the Celtics' future draft pick that was part of the Rajon Rondo trade to Dallas.
As part of the deal, the Celtics will receive a first-round pick from the Mavericks that’s top-seven protected until 2020, and is unprotected in 2021.
Jordan agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with Dallas shortly after the free agency period began July 1. However, he's had second thoughts and is reportedly returning to the Los Angeles Clippers, who sent a contingent of ownership and players that included former Celtics coach Doc Rivers and ex-Celtics captain Paul Pierce to talk to him. The group will make their one last pitch to Jordan.
Without Jordan, look for the Mavericks to struggle mightily next season.
Rondo has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings. Monta Ellis inked a four-year, $44 deal to play for the Indiana Pacers. And the first free agency deal agreed upon involved a Maverick -- make that former Maverick -- when Al-Farouq Aminu came to terms on a four-year, $30 million deal with the Blazers.
Losing out on Jordan likely means the Mavericks are headed for the lottery (top-14), but how far will they sink to the bottom of the NBA?
The Celtics hope far enough to where they are a lottery team that’s selecting outside of the top seven.
Boston Celtics
That would make a deal that the Celtics have already benefited from, even more lopsided in Boston’s favor.