D-Fenders acquire center Jerome Jordan
The D-Fenders made a trade Monday to acquire center Jerome Jordan, sending Ronald Dupree and Orien Greene to the Reno Bighorns.
Jordan has legitimate NBA size, 7 feet and 253 pounds. Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010 (44th overall), Jordan found his way to the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, playing 21 games.
Operating as the D-League affiliate for the Lakers, the D-Fenders are run by General Manager Glenn Carraro, also the assistant general manager of the Lakers.
There was a recent report from Sports Interactive Network Philippines that former Lakers center DJ Mbenga was offered a contract by Ginebra of the PBA to replace Jordan, who was off to the Lakers on a 10-day contract.
The Lakers have denied having a contract in place with Jordan, but the move by the D-Fenders suggests the team might have at least a cursory interest in the 26-year-old Jamaican center.
With 14 players on the roster, the Lakers have one spot available for a free agent. Pau Gasol is sidelined because of a foot injury (torn plantar fascia) but Coach Mike D’Antoni has turned to a smaller lineup when starter Dwight Howard goes to the bench, using Metta World Peace, Earl Clark and Antawn Jamison.
Rookie Robert Sacre hasn’t gotten much time. Would the Lakers look to bring in another center to develop?
That’s one advantage of the D-League. Jordan will get the opportunity to showcase his skills under the Lakers’ watchful eye.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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