Photo from DeAndre Jordan's Instagram account

Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has informed the team he will decline the 2018-2019 player option in his contract before Friday's 11:59 PM ET deadline, according to multiple reports.

By declining the $24.1 million option, Jordan will become an unrestricted free agent when negotiations are permitted to begin Sunday. Players are eligible to sign with new teams beginning July 6.

According to a New York Times report, the Dallas Mavericks will make Jordan their top target in free agency after previously discussing various opt-in-and-trade scenarios with the Clippers. 

Per the Times, the Mavericks did not want to surrender draft compensation in a trade, preferring to pursue Jordan via free agency.

The Times reported earlier this week the Clippers had given Jordan and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, permission to seek a trade.

Jordan, of course, verbally agreed to join the Mavericks in July of 2015 on a four-year, $80 million contract during the moratorium period before contracts can be officially signed. 

After having second thoughts and getting recruited by his L.A. teammates to re-sign, he reneged and signed a four-year, $88 million deal to stay with the Clippers.

Jordan, who turns 30 on July 21, averaged 12.0 points, 15.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocked shots in 77 games last season, all starts. 

In 10 NBA seasons, all with the Clippers, he has career averages of 9.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.7 blocks. His career free-throw shooting percentage is just 44.6.

The Clippers acquired center Marcin Gortat from the Orlando Magic last week for guard Austin Rivers, giving them an option to start at center.

Gortat, 34, has started 400 of a possible 410 games over the last five seasons for the Magic, averaging 11.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks over that span.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).

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