The stakes in the DeAndre Jordan derby just got even higher.

The Dallas Mavericks do not have a safety net, as ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that Tyson Chandler has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. That also eliminates the one potential avenue for the Los Angeles Clippers to replace Jordan with a top-10 center should he decide to leave Lob City, taking the possibility of a dual sign-and-trade deal off the table.

You might want to close your eyes, Mavs fans. Same for Clipper Darrell and his crew. Try not to scream during all the twists and turns before the DeAndre Decision comes down.

The Mavs would at least have cap space to pursue a center. The problem is that the pickings are slim in the free-agency market as far as proven starters go. Do you want to overpay for Robin Lopez or Omer Asik? Pay big and pray that Kosta Koufos can make the transition from Marc Gasol’s backup to a starter for a team with playoff hopes?

Maybe the trade market would be the best backup plan for their big shopping at this point. Hey, Indiana Pacers, still looking to dump Roy Hibbert and his $15.5 million expiring contract?

The Clippers wouldn’t have any of those options, armed with only the midlevel exception if they have to fill Jordan’s large shoes, not to mention find a starting small forward.

Which team will Jordan choose? The conventional wisdom from those in the know is that it’s a coin flip between the Mavs and the Clippers at this point.

The Mavs have made major headway during the past week, with lead recruiter Chandler Parsons filling Jordan’s ear with sweet nothings about how he’d be a centerpiece in Dallas instead of a third wheel with the Clippers.

Dallas pulled off a doubleheader to open the official recruiting process. Parsons, owner Mark Cuban and power forward Dirk Nowitzki wined and dined Jordan in Los Angeles with a dinner that began the moment free agency opened. Coach Rick Carlisle, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and athletic trainer Casey Smith joined the contingent for the official presentation Wednesday morning at the Beverly Hills office of Relativity Sports, which also represents Parsons.

It's nice to get two at-bats to lead off, but Doc Rivers and the Clippers' contingent bat cleanup in the Jordan meetings, getting the last word.

The Mavs' meeting with Jordan was still ongoing when news broke that Chandler, a hero for the Mavs’ 2011 title team who was just as productive during his second one-year stint in Dallas last season, had made his decision.

The Mavs certainly can’t blame Chandler, who publicly said being the second option didn’t bother him but probably felt disrespected by Dallas, for declining to wait.

But, man, will the Mavs miss Chandler if they miss out on Jordan. And the Clippers sure hope that's the case.