DeAndre Jordan has continued to emerge as one of the best defensive big men in the NBA.

He could command nine-figure rich next summer in free agency, while presenting the first significant financial test of Steve Ballmer's ownership.

A maximum five-year contract for Jordan projected at $103.5 million would probably nudge the Clippers over the luxury tax threshold for a third consecutive season in 2015-16, triggering the dreaded repeater tax the following season.

Ballmer has intimated he would make whatever financial commitment was necessary to preserve the core of his team.

"I want the Clippers to be better than they've ever been and better than anybody else has ever been," Ballmer said.