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The Los Angeles Lakers took their shot at unrestricted free agent center DeAndre Jordan, sitting down with the big man for approximately two hours, reports Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. The Lakers have been on a crammed itinerary, meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge Tuesday night, taking a red eye flight to Washington DC to meet with Greg Monroe early Wednesday, then heading back to Los Angeles to cap off their Day 1 pitch frenzy with a sit-down with Jordan.
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DeAndre spent four-and-a-half hours with the Dallas Mavericks earlier in the day, and had dinner with the group sent to Los Angeles for their recruitment effort Tuesday night. The Lakers took heavy criticism following their pitch to Aldridge, though this meeting with Jordan differed in that the Buss family and Kobe Bryant were not in attendance. The Lakers group included Mitch Kupchak, Byron Scott and other high-ranking executives.
It's unclear when Jordan will make his decision, but he still has meetings with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers to sort through. Details were limited on the Lakers' meeting with Jordan, but here are the crumbs that have dropped via Chris Mannix (Sports Illustrated), Brad Turner (LA Times) and Medina (LA Daily News):
I'm told it's unlikely DeAndre Jordan will make a decision tomorrow after meetings w/ Knicks & Clippers. Will want to process everything 1st
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 2, 2015
Lakers were "somewhat underwhelming" in presentation with DeAndre Jordan, sources. DJ felt Lakers had been on "whirlwind" last 24 hours.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 2, 2015
Source close to DeAndre Jordan calls Lakers presentation "very professional." Disputes any DJ issue with it. Jordan mulling several options.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) July 2, 2015
Lakers/Jordan meeting may have been hurt by its late start. Both sides seemed tired after a long day, per sources briefed on the meeting.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) July 2, 2015
That makes for a conflicting report on how Jordan received the pitch, but a consistent reference to both sides being a bit more checked out after a busy start to free agency. The feeling seems to be that the Lakers are still considered a longshot to land Jordan, with the Clippers and Mavericks being in tight contention to sign one of the best remaining free agents on the market.