Veteran Center DeAndre Jordan Officially Returns to the NBA After Signing One-Year Contract

This offseason, DeAndre Jordan was unable to find a new home in free agency, but now, just days into the new season, the veteran is back in the NBA. At 37 years of age, Jordan has played in just seven NBA games over the past two years with the Denver Nuggets, leading many to believe that he was heading toward retirement.

On Friday, however, ESPN's Shams Charania announced that Jordan is officially back, inking a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

That deal will pay Jordan $3.6 million for the 2025–26 campaign, a solid price for both parties as the Pelicans sought depth up front for this one season. As of right now, New Orleans is rolling with the duo of Yves Missi and Kevon Looney in the frontcourt, and while Jordan isn't expected to play too much, the opportunity to be a depth piece for this team was too good to pass up.

In five games played for Denver last season, Jordan posted five rebounds and four points in just 12 minutes per game, and while his role won't expand too much in New Orleans, he can clearly still contribute at a solid level.

At 37 years of age, Jordan's career is clearly on its last legs, but now that he's back in the league, he's got the chance to prove that he can still contribute to winning in the NBA, so expect to see him try to take every chance to make an impact for the Pelicans.