Bryant, Lakers Courting DeAndre Jordan to Join Team

Will Jordan stay in LA? Photo Credit: Troy Taormina/ USA Today Sports

Free agent DeAndre Jordan has come onto the Laker's radar in a major way.

By: Michael Hanley (@Magic20099)


DeAndre Jordan is one of the most coveted free agents in this class of them this summer. He has gained interest from many teams in the NBA. He has a plethora  of meetings set up with teams to meet them and see how much interest and, more importantly, how much money and years they can offer him in a contract.

He has reported meetings set with the Clippers, Knicks, Lakers and Mavericks just this week alone. All of them no doubt will use their own unique ways of pitching to Jordan who joining them will be the best fit for both parties and how his family will be welcomed etc. 

The Knicks already have pitched the idea to him of having him be the second scoring option on this team next to Carmelo Anthony.

That was looking good until the Lakers jumped in and played their trump card: Kobe Bryant. It has been reported that  Kobe made it  a point to call DeAndre Jordan himself and try to recruit him for the Lakers, knowing that Jordan could be a big addition to this year's team.

More from Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times:

  Jordan has gotten a call from Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the officials said. Bryant wanted Jordan to know the Lakers are interested.

It shows you have important the Lakers view Jordan to their future that Kobe gets involved in this process. The Lakers have yet to formally meet with Jordan, but that does not mean they wanted to hold up from getting their pitch started in earnest especially with the likes of Bryant on board of it.

It easy to see why he is valued so much. He is coming off a season in which he averaged
11.5 points and 15 rebounds per game in addition to his defensive prowess.  He would fit in perfectly to the Laker's plan as they continue to look to upgrade their roster at key positions.

There was  a reported rift between Jordan and Chris Paul this past season which might also be contributing to Jordan giving pause to rejoining the Clippers without at least listening to other teams and gauging how they see him fitting onto their team.

Now with the Lakers in play, Jordan may not have to go anywhere to start the next chapter of his playing career up if their pitch works to succession.