Mark Cuban Will Blow A Gasket If DeAndre Jordan Signs With Los Angeles Clippers

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Mark Cuban Will Blow A Gasket If DeAndre Jordan Signs With Los Angeles Clippers
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Reports broke on Wednesday afternoon that DeAndre Jordan is reconsidering signing with the Dallas Mavericks and could end up re-signing with the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban haven’t been able to officially sign Jordan to a contract due to the NBA‘s free agent moratorium period, the two sides have made a commitment to each other. Due to the NBA rules, Cuban may not be able to do anything through the NBA league office to pursue complaints against the Clippers. He could have a legal stance to take the Clippers, and owner Steve Ballmer, to court over the matter, however, which would be disastrous for the NBA.

The correct legal term for what could potentially happen here is tortious interference with business expectancy. Essentially, Cuban would have to provide proof that the Clippers have done more than compete for Jordan’s services. While the Clippers are allowed to negotiate with Jordan, the actions can’t exceed that point, which means Cuban would only have to prove that there was a reasonable probability that a contract would have been offered to Jordan in order to show interference by the Clippers. According to legal analysts, that’s something Cuban could easily do.

Doc Rivers and Ballmer were reportedly flying to Houston on Wednesday to have a meeting with Jordan, which could actually end up working against them should Cuban decide to file a lawsuit. With Rivers and Ballmer involved, it shows that this wouldn’t be a case of Jordan simply changing his mind, which is something he’s allowed to do, but it would show that the team is trying to make him change his mind, something that would also help Cuban.

The NBA could’ve avoided something like this from ever happening if it would have abolished the moratorium period years ago. Why should there be a period where a player can negotiate and agree to a contract, but he can’t sign it? I foresee this change coming after this situation, but it could still result in a team losing a player they never would’ve lost if the two sides had the chance to sign the contract upon agreement.

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. If Jordan ends up signing with the Mavericks, then I’m sure Cuban will find a way to get over this, but if Jordan goes back to the Clippers, there will a battle like no other between Cuban and Ballmer. And that would make every Clippers vs. Mavericks game must-see TV next season.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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