Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan due for contract extension

DeAndre Jordan’s contract expires after the 2014-2015 season, and the Clippers would be remiss in not extending their center’s terms.

Jordan responded well to Coach Doc Rivers, having career-highs last season in points (10.4), rebounds (13.6) and blocks (2.5). He led the league in rebounds and led all centers in blocks.

The 6-foot-11, 26-year-old is entering the last year on his four-year deal that he signed in 2011 when he was a restricted free agent.

The maximum length for an extension would be for the Clippers to add three years to his current deal, meaning a potential extension would go through the 2017-18 season, the same year the contracts of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers run through.

When asked about his contract at Clippers’ media day Monday, Jordan said it was not on his mind.

“I’m not thinking about that at all,� he said. “I’m thinking about honestly training camp tomorrow and I’m thinking about our season, hoping that we can stay healthy and move forward and just improve on our season last year. Whenever the time comes, I’ll deal with it but, as of right now, I’m thinking about us as a team.�

When Golden State offered Jordan a four-year, $43-million contract in 2011, the Clippers matched the offer, and many thought that the center was being overpaid.

The following two seasons, he averaged 7.4 and 8.3 rebounds and 8.8 points and 7.2 rebounds, respectively. He often struggled on offense, was a liability from the free-throw line and was frequently benched for fourth quarters.

Rivers see Jordan’s potential and considers him as being a key part of the team’s core.

“I want him to be the best defensive player in the league, like he was last year,� Rivers said. “Offensively, he was good. He scored a lot of points last year. He will get better because we asked him to work on things offensively, but he’s our defensive captain and that will not change.�

Twitter: @melissarohlin