FILE–Former Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan (6) hangs from the rim.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Brooklyn Nets traded center DeAndre Jordan to the Detroit Pistons, who bought out the veteran big man’s contract — clearing a path for him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple reports said Friday.
ESPN first reported the Nets-Pistons trade, while The Athletic said Jordan is expected to sign a one-year deal worth $2.6 million with Los Angeles upon clearing waivers.
The Nets will receive center Jahlil Okafor and forward Sekou Doumbouya in the swap, while the Pistons receive $5.78 million, as well as second-round picks in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2027. Detroit bought out the remaining $20 million and two years on Jordan’s deal, making the 13-year veteran a free agent.
Jordan, 33, was an All-Star in 2017 as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers and has averaged 9.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 932 career games for the Clippers (2008-18), Dallas Mavericks (2018-19), New York Knicks (2019) and Nets (2019-21).
He joins a Lakers team that already features LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.
Okafor, 25, has averaged 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds over six seasons with four different teams, while Doumbouya, 20, averaged 5.6 points with 2.8 rebounds for the Pistons over the last two seasons.
ESPN estimated the Nets will save $47 million in salary and tax with the deal.
The Nets also signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge and waived forward Alize Johnson. A seven-time All-Star, Aldridge retired from the NBA shortly after joining the Nets five months ago due to a scare involving an irregular heartbeat, but he said he was cleared by doctors to resume his career. Aldridge averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game over 1,029 career games (985 starts).
The 25-year-old Johnson has averaged 2.9 points with 3.2 rebounds in 49 games over the last three seasons with the Indiana Pacers and Nets.