DeAndre Jordan’s wish to join Rockets could provide Daryl Morey with a backup plan

Signing DeAndre Jordan to a cheaper deal could be a viable option for the Houston Rockets if they can’t retain Clint Capela in free agency.

Around the trade deadline on February 8, it was reported that the Houston Rockets refused a trade offer to send ten-year veteran DeAndre Jordan to the Rockets in exchange for Clint Capela.

Now, according to Kelly Iko of the Rockets Wire, anonymous sources are reporting that Jordan has expressed to some Rockets players a desire to play for the team.

Rejecting the trade at the deadline was undoubtedly the right decision on Houston’s part. Capela is five years and some change younger, and is already a superior player to Jordan.

It would’ve made little sense at that time for the team to ditch their young center for a store-brand version of the same player.

But now, Capela is an impending restricted free agent. His impressive playoff outing is expected to draw him max contract offers from opposing teams.

As keeping the team together is looking to be more and more expensive, it may be time for Houston to give Jordan another look.

To be clear; retaining Capela should be a priority for the franchise. He’s young and an ideal fit for the style of play that Mike D’Antoni has installed in Houston.

But Jordan could be a viable cheaper option if GM Daryl Morey needs to save some bank in order to sign any big-name free agents over the offseason.

The 29-year-old Jordan averaged 12.0 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocked shots in 31.5 minutes per game for the Clippers this year.

Though older and less mobile than Capela, he could prove to be a similar fit.

Jordan excels as a screen setter and roll man; a valuable trait in Houston’s pick-and-roll heavy offense.

He’s also a formidable rim protector, although a downgrade from Capela’s skill at that end.

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If Morey can’t free up enough cap room to sign a Paul George or LeBron James through other means, letting go of Capela (which is heartbreaking for me to consider) and signing Jordan for a cheaper deal could be the way to go.