LOS ANGELES (AP) — Center DeAndre Jordan has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, adding another seasoned NBA veteran to their experienced roster.
The Lakers announced the move Thursday to fill the penultimate roster spot. Los Angeles already has veteran centers Marc Gasol and Dwight Howard under contract along with Anthony Davis, who regularly fills in at center.
Jordan is a 13-year NBA veteran who spent his first 10 seasons down the Staples Center hallway with the Los Angeles Clippers. He led the league in field goal percentage five times and won two rebounding titles during his decade with the Clippers, who reversed the franchise’s image as longtime losers during his partnership with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
The 33-year-old Jordan has played for the Mavericks, Knicks and Nets since leaving LA in 2018. After averaging just 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds for Brooklyn last season in 21.9 minutes per game — all his lowest totals since 2013 — Jordan was traded earlier this month to the Detroit Pistons, who bought out the remaining two years and $20 million on his contract.
Jordan moved quickly to sign with the Lakers, who believe they can contend for the franchise’s 18th title with a remarkably experienced group of players around Davis, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
Jordan is the 10th player who is 32 or older on the Lakers’ roster, joining Gasol, Howard, James, Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington and Rajon Rondo. Los Angeles also still could re-sign 34-year-old Wesley Matthews.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
