Rumors

Blake Griffin on DeAndre Jordan: “Dude, he’s like — I mean, you see him now as a vet, and it’s easier for vets to do that, but he was that for us when he was second, third, fourth year in the league. He’s a connector of people. And not to mention, he’s just an absolute freak athlete. I watched him physically punk a lot of centers, and he just never gets hurt. He’s a monster. But off the court, he’s one of those people that brings people together. You know what I mean? He keeps everything light. He has incredible empathy and EQ. His emotional awareness is off the charts, where he sees somebody maybe not having their best day or best game, and he’ll go put his arm around them because he’s built that relationship with each guy on the team.

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NBA Communications: New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has been named the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year. Presented annually since 2012-13, the award recognizes the player deemed the league’s best teammate, based on selfless play, leadership and commitment to the team.

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While his focus remains on the “now” and the remaining fuel in his tank, the transition from the court to the sidelines seems like a logical progression for a man with his level of basketball IQ and championship pedigree. We closed our conversation by looking at the long-term horizon and whether the “coach” title is one he is actually ready to embrace. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You clearly enjoy mentoring young players. Is coaching something you see in your future? DeAndre Jordan: If I have to deal with Derik Queen every [expletive] day? No! [Laughs]. Seriously though, I’ve thought about it. It could be in the cards. I don’t have any gray hairs just yet and I’d like to keep it that way for a while!

ScoopB.com

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Derik Queen has shown a lot of versatility, particularly closing the season strong on the glass. Where have you seen the most growth in his game? DeAndre Jordan: He’s grown a ton. He’s done some great things and the sky is really the limit for him. This upcoming offseason is going to be huge for him. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You two are planning to work together in Los Angeles this summer. What specific skills are you going to focus on? DeAndre Jordan: [Smiles] I’d rather keep that a secret. We’re going to work, we’re going to hang out and he’s going to enjoy his summer but he’s definitely going to work. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Does Derik’s style of play remind you of anyone else in the league? DeAndre Jordan: He’s a true playmaker. He can really handle the ball. He has a real relationship with the ball, which is rare for someone his size. He can handle it, he has great touch and he can score on all three levels. He does things that are usually guard oriented and he can shoot the ball and he can playmaker. Now, we just have to figure out how to enhance that and help him grow on both ends of the floor.

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NBA Communications: The NBA today announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. The annual honor recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team. Current NBA players will select the winner from these 12 finalists (six finalists from each NBA conference): Desmond Bane, Jalen Brunson, Pat Connaughton, De'Aaron Fox, Jeff Green, Jrue Holiday, DeAndre Jordan, Duncan Robinson, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Garrett Temple, Jaylin Williams.

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“He’s a psychologist, he’s a mentor, he’s a friend, he’s a cheerleader, he’s a coach and he’s wearing five to six different hats every night,” Pelicans coach James Borrego said. “The beauty in DeAndre is, whatever is required in the moment, he’s willing to step and give. “And sometimes that’s an X or O or it’s just love. And that’s not easy to do. That’s what makes him so special.”

New York Times

“It means I’m near the end of my career,” he said. “I’m at peace with that. As a competitor, you want to always get better, and you want to have an impact and imprint on the game. “So if my imprint on the game is being a locker room presence, being able to play every other couple games and have an impact coaching guys on the floor, I’m still bringing something to the game.”

New York Times

“When I came in, I was 19. I had older guys who poured into me and gave me a lot of advice and guidance,” Jordan said. “I feel like it’s only right for me to do the same thing for them and give them the knowledge that I was blessed with and given by my vets. “That’s two generations’ worth of stuff I’ve learned. So then their job, in 15, 18 years, is to give that back to the next generation. And then they get better and better.”

New York Times

DeAndre Jordan recruited Westbrook to the Nuggets last season. He had known Russ for 20 years and called him "one of the most interesting guys in the league. One of the most caring guys." Jordan saw Westbrook mentoring younger players, taking particular interest in undrafted rookie Trey Alexander. "He paid for dinners, got clothes for guys. It’s cool to be able to see him give back to guys who really look up to him." Westbrook is intensely generous with teammates, but also legendarily disciplined when it comes to his own money. "I’ve seen him a few times during breakfast balancing his own checkbook," Grant said. "I’m asking him, like bro you doing this yourself?"

Sporting News

When considering the team’s record and your role on this team, how do you evaluate everything so far? DeAndre Jordan: “My role on this team is to be a veteran locker room presence. So whenever I do get the opportunity to go out there and play, I lead by example and do whatever I can to help the team. But my role kind of stays the same. That is very easy and great for me. There’s not a lot of change.”

essentiallysports.com

How do you compare your dunk over Drummond to all the other ones you’ve had in your career? DeAndre Jordan: (laughs) “I’ve had quite a few dunks in my career. I probably got about 307 jumps left. So we’ll see how I can space those out. We’ll see.” (laughs)

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You shared a tribute to CP on IG about his retirement news. How did you process all of that? DeAndre Jordan: “It took me a while to really accept that he retired. He was such an impactful person on my career and the trajectory of my career. So nobody can tell me anything bad about CP. That’s one of my brothers. We played together for some years.” “We also are extremely close friends. I’m happy for him. If he’s at peace with his decision, I’m happy for him. I wish it would’ve ended a lot differently. I’m sure a lot of people do. But at the end of the day, things happen for a reason. He’s a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. He’ll be wearing a jacket someday. I’m just happy that I was able to be a teammate of his. He’s one of my best friends.”

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Pelicans Film Room: "He elevated our program tremendously. His leadership, he is a grownup in the room... He has wrapped his arms around the vets and the young guys... Now there is a little more bite to what he is saying because he is impacting the game" -- James Borrego on DeAndre Jordan's impact

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Law Murray: DeAndre Jordan has shared a tribute to the recently retired Chris Paul prior to Jordan’s visit to LA with the Pelicans

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