The Clippers' season ended on a disappointing note, as they blew a 3-1 lead to the Houston Rockets and succumbed in seven games. At the center of their shortcomings was the pronounced lack of depth, especially in the frontcourt, as much of the Rockets' strategy revolved around getting DeAndre Jordan off the floor, whether it was by getting him in foul trouble, or via the "Hack-a-Shaq."
Even though Jordan wasn't the dominant defensive presence Doc Rivers would want us to believe he is, Jordan was indispensable for the Clippers on both ends of the court, enjoying a career year that saw him lead the league in rebounding and field goal percentage.
For Jordan personally, this couldn't have happened at a more opportune time, as he enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. For the Clippers, however, the sins of poor cap management make re-signing Jordan simultaneously mandatory and crippling.