(MENAFN- Arab News) DALLAS: DeAndre Jordan has backed out of a verbal agreement to join the Dallas Mavericks and chosen to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jordan made the switch after a face-to-face meeting at his Houston home with a contingent of Clippers including Blake Griffin and Paul Pierce two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the NBA's ban on public comments before players can sign contracts starting at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
The Clippers announced Jordan's retention late Wednesday and also tweeted "WE'RE OFFICIALLY CENTERED."
It was a surprising reversal for Jordan the defensive pillar who agreed to a four-year $80 million deal with the Mavericks last week.
The Mavericks and Jordan's agents tried to reach him repeatedly while he met with the Clippers but were unsuccessful. And Griffin sent out a tweet on Wednesday with a picture of a chair underneath the handle of a door.
"Don't agree with the furniture layout but I'm not an interior designer" Griffin quipped.
The Clippers can offer a fifth year on a max contract at more than $100 million. They also can offer the familiarity of the only NBA team Jordan has ever played for as well as a more talented roster featuring point guard Chris Paul and Griffin.
Dallas owner Mark Cuban was already in Houston to try to persuade Jordan to stick with his commitment to the Mavericks according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The owner was so confident that he had landed Jordan that he went on a Dallas radio show this week and spoke about the role he would have in the Mavericks' offense. Discussing the free agent before a contract was signed earned Cuban a $25000 fine.
Getting Jordan and shooting guard Wesley Matthews had the Mavericks hoping they could avoid a major rebuilding project and make one last run with aging star Dirk Nowitzki.

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Top draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns made his Minnesota Timberwolves debut with an open scrimmage on Wednesday night and more than 15000 fans flocked to Target Center to watch him.
The Timberwolves announced a crowd of 15200 with the line stretching more than four blocks outside of the arena to get in. The Timberwolves averaged under 15000 fans per game in the regular season last year.
Towns did not disappoint. He had 24 points and 15 rebounds in three shortened quarters. He threw down a between-the-legs dunk and knocked down a 3-pointer as well.
Wolves fans also came out to see Andrew Wiggins the reigning rookie of the year slam dunk champion Zach LaVine and rookie Tyus Jones who is from the Minneapolis suburb of Apple Valley.

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Free-agent center Joel Anthony is staying with the Detroit Pistons reaching agreement with the team on a reported two-year $5 million contract.
The second year of the deal is not guaranteed the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday. The contract won't become official until the NBA moratorium period on free agency signings ends Thursday.
The 6-foot-9 Anthony came to the Pistons in an October trade with the Boston Celtics for Will Bynum. In 49 games for Detroit last season Anthony averaged 1.8 points and 1.9 rebounds and shot 58.1 percent from the field.

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Charlotte Hornets guard P.J. Hairston received a citation in Charlotte N.C. on June 18 after a traffic stop for violations that included driving with a revoked licence speeding and driving on expired tags.
His 2015 black Cadillac Escalade had expired tags and was clocked at 51 mph in a 35 mph zone when police pulled the vehicle over. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report Hairston's SUV also was traveling over a double yellow line for a significant distance.
"I was pulled over and my license was suspended. I got (another) ticket on my birthday I paid the ticket and Davie County failed to reinstate my license" Hairston said Wednesday after a summer-league game.
"My financial adviser drove to Davie County with the receipt I had. I had to wait for them to reinstate my license. I have a valid license now and my truck has been inspected and I paid the taxes on my truck. So everything is fine. Just a big mixup in the media and a false message on Twitter going around about me. It is what it is; people need something to talk about."