5 Takeaways From DeAndre Jordan's Flip Flop
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DALLAS (CBSDFW) -- "This is a disaster of epic proportions."
DeAndre Jordan made the decision Wednesday night to abandon the Dallas Mavericks and sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
With the sudden defection, there are significant ramifications that could impact the Mavs for years to come.
1. Team Tank -- Without Trying
For weeks, 105.3 The Fan's Gavin Dawson has been lobbying Mark Cuban and the Mavericks organization to tank and rebuild through the draft.
That may now happen, but not by choice.
Between Friday's commitment and Wednesday night's signing, the Mavs had committed valuable cap space to Jordan. As other free agents went off the board, the Mavs sat idle.
"Who do you have now?" asked Mike Fisher. "Now that DeAndre Jordan has essentially locked up your resources for the last five days, so you couldn't add anybody."
Now, the top of the free agent pool includes names like Enes Kanter and J.R. Smith -- not exactly what Dallas had in mind.
Is Dallas better than New Orleans? Phoenix? Portland? Competing for the No. 8 seed in the West now looks like a tall order. Time to tank, whether it's intentional or not.
2. The NBA's Tallest 6-Year-Old
Even at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, DeAndre Jordan is a child.
Most fans can accept that he changed his mind -- that's life.
But only a 6-year old would...
-- Wait until the final hours to flip flop
-- Lock himself inside his own home
-- Ignore phone calls from his agent
-- Refuse to call, text, or meet with Mark Cuban and Chandler Parsons to offer an explanation or apology
A man would own his decision -- not hide in his room with friends and bury himself in video games and Cooler Ranch Doritos.
Perhaps he isn't the man Mavs fans imagined -- and maybe he realized he's better suited on a team with an alpha male.
3. Dirk's Playoff Career Over?
It's a sobering thought -- Dirk Nowitzki has played in 140 playoff games for Dallas. He might never play in a postseason game again.
He's not abandoning Dallas. He is the definition of loyalty.
If the Mavs stumble into the lottery in each of the next three seasons, he'll be there.
Sports tear...
4. Parsons, Matthews -- Take Your Time
Chandler Parsons is recovering from knee surgery. Wesley Matthews, who Mark Cuban insists will sign with Dallas on Thursday, is recovering from an Achilles injury.
Neither was guaranteed to start the season healthy. And neither player should worry if he's not.
If the Mavericks are destined to be terrible next season, they might as well be really terrible. Their pick next season belongs to Boston but is top-7 protected.
Pushing these two guys to return prematurely would only risk their long-term health. And with the 2015-16 season already lost, the duo should get healthy for the future, and take their time doing so.
5. Carlisle's Conundrum
"Rick Carlisle is entering the final year of his contract, and he wants to go win championships," said Fisher. "And he wants to win them here."
Many are speculating that Carlisle wouldn't be on board with coaching Dallas through a complete rebuild.
Could Jordan's decision actually lead to Carlisle's departure? It's possible.
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