DeAndre Jordan. Fan favorite in the city of Denver, great guy in the locker room, and most importantly, an NBA champion with the 2023 Denver Nuggets. He spent the last three seasons in the Mile High City, and was one of the best veteran leaders on the team night in and night out.
Throughout this summer, nothing had been officially announced between Jordan and the Nuggets, but the roster moves made by Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace in their first offseason as two of the lead guys in Denver’s front office indicated that Jordan’s time as a player for this organization had likely come to an end. On Friday, that officially became a reality, as Jordan inked a contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Free agent center DeAndre Jordan is signing a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. The one-time All-NBA big man and 2023 champion enters his 18th season in the league. pic.twitter.com/kDRJE4Cnem
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2025
The deal is for one year, and Jordan will make $3.6 million. Not too shabby of a gig.
The Pelicans have plenty of size on the roster, with three centers who are all 24 years old or younger. Given that Jordan is 37 and heading into his 18th season in the NBA, he’s likely going to be used more as a veteran presence in the locker room — much like he was in Denver — rather than a rational guy who sees action every single night. Obviously, if injuries arise and they need him, they’ll play him, but don’t expect to see him playing 75 games this year.
When the news broke, the Nuggets made sure to give Jordan his flowers and appreciate the things he did for the team in his three years here.
A Champion on and off the court. Thank you, DJ! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oBuVpUgNBh
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 24, 2025
Nuggets fans won’t forget his 21-point, 13-rebound explosion against the Clippers back at the start of the 2023-24 season. That was his only memorable performance on the court in Denver, but he had plenty of memorable moments off of it.
One thing’s for certain. That man will never have to buy another drink for himself whenever he’s in Denver. The whole city loves him.
The 2016 All-NBA First-Teamer won’t have to wait long to make his return to Denver, as the Pelicans will be in town on Wednesday to take on the Nuggets. Given how his time went here, it’s likely that he gets some form of a tribute. That game tips off at 7:00 p.m. and will not be on national television.
