Phoenix Suns discuss DeAndre Jordan spurning Dallas Mavericks

PHOENIX — It’s really impossible to not have seen what has gone on with the free agent pursuit of DeAndre Jordan, the Los Angeles Clipper who verbally agreed to join the Dallas Mavericks before changing his mind a few days later and returning to Hollywood.

Over in Phoenix, the Suns have not had to deal with the drama. More than a decade ago they were sort of in a similar situation, as forward Antonio McDyess was waffling between staying with the Suns or leaving for the Denver Nuggets.

In that scenario, the Suns were like the Clippers, only without being able to bring the player back.

Thursday, as the Suns were introducing Tyson Chandler to the assembled media at the US Airways Center, the topic of Jordan and what has transpired over the last week came up, albeit first as a bit of a joke.

“When we went over to the Palomar to sign him today, we did not have to lock him in the room,” Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby said of bringing Chandler into the fold. “That was, in and of itself, a good sign. He’s a willing participant.”

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek added that if it came to it, he would “handle” Chandler, making sure the center didn’t leave before signing the contract.

All jokes aside, though, the situation has led to some questions. Some are focused on Jordan, and how he could leave the Mavericks hanging like that. Some are focused on the Clippers, who in a way “stole” the center from their conference rival.

And others are looking at the NBA’s moratorium period, in which players are allowed to negotiate with and come to verbal agreements with teams, but are not allowed to sign contracts, as something that should possibly be changed.

Chandler, who is incidentally leaving the Mavericks for the Suns, said he does not necessarily believe the rules need to be addressed.

“It was a verbal agreement, so he had the options to change his mind,” Chandler said of Jordan. “That was his decision, as a man, and it’s something he’ll have to stand with.

“So I think it’s based on each individual case, and it’s not something that has come up very often in our game.”

Indeed that is true, which is part of why this story is as captivating as it has been.

Babby, who was a player agent before taking on his current role with the Suns, offered a unique perspective because he has been on both sides of the negotiating table. He said the league will probably take a look at the moratorium period, but isn’t sure anything needs to be changed.

“Everybody understands the rules,” he said. “Everybody understands there can be no enforceable agreement before the moratorium ends.

“There is kind of a process that’s unfolding that you base decisions based on commitments that have been announced and the market unfolds, but we all do it with the caveat of knowing it could all change.”

Babby said as an agent, it’s important to ensure your player understands the ramifications of the decisions they are about to make, not agreeing to anything until they are absolutely sure it’s what they want.