Frank Vogel Notes DeAndre Jordan Requested Lakers Departure

On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers made a notable roster move as it was reported they intend to waive the veteran center DeAndre Jordan.  The 33-year-old
Frank Vogel Notes DeAndre Jordan Requested Lakers Departure
Frank Vogel Notes DeAndre Jordan Requested Lakers Departure /

On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers made a notable roster move as it was reported they intend to waive the veteran center DeAndre Jordan. 

The 33-year-old big man, who signed with the Lakers during the offseason, hasn't been getting much playing time lately after being in and out of the starting lineup at the beginning of the season. 

When the reports surfaced that Jordan was moving on from the Lakers, many assumed that Los Angeles was cutting the cord on Jordan because of preference. However, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel noted that it was actually Jordan who desired a breakup in the first place.

Jordan Wanted Out?

“We wish DeAndre well," said Vogel on Tuesday night ahead of Los Angeles' matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. "It’s really just a need thing. He gets an opportunity to have a bigger role somewhere else, he felt. We granted that to him. We had the need for more point guard and shooting that we were able to pick up with DJ Augustin.”

As Vogel mentioned, the Lakers will replace Jordan's roster spot by bringing on the veteran guard, DJ Augustin. Meanwhile, Jordan will test the free agency market, where the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly at the front of the line to land him.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Jordan is a Sixers target a few weeks after they moved on from the veteran center Andre Drummond. As Drummond was requested in the James Harden-Ben Simmons blockbuster trade, the Sixers had to part ways with Joel Embiid's backup for the year.

Behind Drummond was the rookie big man Charles Bassey, and the second-year G League standout, Paul Reed. In addition, the Sixers brought on Paul Millsap through the trade with Brooklyn and also inked Willie Cauley-Stein to a ten-day deal.

It seems Jordan will be Philly-bound after spending more than half the season with the Lakers, but nothing's been confirmed at this time. Soon enough, the veteran big man will find his next destination as he hits the open market.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_. 


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA