NBA Rumors: Lakers Culture Could Help DeAndre Jordan Rediscover Demeanor

For DeAndre Jordan, returning to Los Angeles means another chance to hopefully be part of something big. He started his career with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2008 to 2018 before getting shipped to the Dallas Mavericks.

Among the players he got to play with back then include now ex-Brooklyn Nets teammate Blake Griffin and Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns. They appeared formidable but their group failed to make big strides.

The All-Star center returns this time around with the Los Angeles Lakers. There is a big difference given the star power the purple and gold have. But the only thing getting hit is that the 2021-22 cast are all at a ripe age. That includes Jordan who is 33-years-old.

Coming from a star-studded Nets quintet, it will be interesting how Jordan can help a team led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. It is a team that offers a lot of firepower, meaning Jordan will be tasked to defend and control the boards.

Jordan has a good opportunity to start in the middle with Davis, Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol the only ones he has to contend with. But if one digs into his past with the Nets, Jordan has something to prove.

According to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic who appears on Jake Fischer’s Bleacher Report, Jordan was adamant that he should start when James Harden arrived in Brooklyn. With Jarrett Allen gone, he had that golden opportunity.

Unfortunately for him, his fit into the system of head coach Steve Nash did not produce results. He ended up playing behind Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant at the center. He did not even see action in the playoffs last NBA season.

It was here where trade speculations started to crop up. That all became clearer when Jordan was reportedly discussing a buyout with the Nets. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons and then waived. He ended up with the Lakers, a team where he may finally win an NBA title.

Speaking to ESPN, Jordan knows that age is becoming a factor. Nevertheless, he hopes to blend in well and hopefully find a team where he can get some better luck.

"On the team that I was on last year, we had a little bad luck with injuries and some small things like that. But you definitely don't want to take it for granted. ... I'm excited to be able to be here and jell with these guys and build chemistry and it's going to be a process but I think we're all ready and excited for it," Jordan said.