NBA Free Agency 2011: How Chris Paul May Keep Wilson Chandler from NY Knicks

Wilson Chandler, formerly of the New York Knicks and now playing for the Denver Nuggets, is a restricted free agent whom New York is interested in bringing back, according to Marc Berman of the NY Post. However, because of Chris Paul, this is much easier said than done.

And not just because of cap-managing logistics.

We all remember the lopsided—yes, lopsided—trade for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks sent four rotation players in Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov to Denver in exchange for Anthony.

Chandler was especially tough to lose for New York. He was having a phenomenal season and seemed to be really coming into his own.

While Chandler's role changed slightly in Denver, he was nevertheless effective, and was an integral part of the push the Nuggets made to secure the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

On the season, Chandler averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He proved to be one of the most versatile players in the league, strong enough to play four, yet with enough finesse to fill in at the two and three positions.

It is no wonder why New York is interested in bringing him back. However, as long as the Knicks have Paul in their sights, such efforts to reacquire him may prove to be fruitless.

Such a notion automatically shifts the attention to the fact that the Knicks don't have enough cap space for both, but truthfully that is not the problem at all. We have no idea what the new CBA will bring, but if it allows the mid-level exception to live on without imposing a critically low hard-cap, New York would actually have a chance to afford both players.

Sure, Chandler and his agent will be asking for more than the mid-level, but the fact is he loved playing in New York, and it is not out of the question for him to give the Knicks a favorable discount in negotiations.

Chandler knows that the Anthony trade was just business, and that New York was reluctant to trade him or Gallinari. He also is aware and probably flattered by the fact that Denver considered him to have Carmelo Anthony-like potential; he was a key piece in order for the deal to go through, which says a lot about his talent.

Additionally, the Knicks could possibly offer him slightly more than the mid-level without killing their chances at signing Paul as well. 

So what exactly is the problem, and how is Paul's current intangible presence deterring Chandler form returning to New York?

Here it comes.

Right now, the Knicks' best chance at acquiring Paul is through next summer's free agency. New York lacks the assets to strike a deal that benefits New Orleans in the same way it did Denver when they sent Anthony to the Knicks.

The Knicks could hope that Paul forces his way to New York by giving the Hornets an ultimatum, but even then, New York's stock of assets is so low that New Orleans may get a better deal from a team who is willing to rent Paul for the rest of the year.

Cap room, new CBA willing, is not an issue for the Knicks, though, and if Paul hits the open market next summer, they will be the favorites to land the superstar point guard.

And while that all seems great, the reality is that if New York is able to find a way to land Chandler, their best option at obtaining Paul all of a sudden becomes via trade.

New Orleans is aware of Chandler's potential and would be more amicable to dealing with the Knicks should his name be thrown into the equation. And as James Dolan proved this past season, his own mother isn't even off-limits in trade negotiations.

Chandler himself is aware of all this, and will definitely be a factor when he weighs his free agency options.

On the one hand, he has the opportunity to return for the team who drafted him and play alongside two stars in Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. But on the other hand, is it savvy of Chandler to give the Knicks a financial discount while also risking becoming collateral damage, for the second time, in New York's pursuit of a super team?

The answer to the latter question is no.

With Chandler on the Knicks' current roster, one could argue that they become serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. His effective inside-out offensive game, coupled with his ability to contain the opposition on the defensive end using his quickness and vertical leaping capability, makes New York that much deeper and more intimidating.

It would be nice to say that if Chandler comes out and has a great year, the Knicks will hold onto him. However, no matter what he accomplished, he will not be enough to halt the Knicks' Paul aspirations. And ultimately, Chandler cannot justify walking away from more money and security just to play for the Knicks for another half of a season.

Chris Paul, or arguably Dwight Howard, are the priority, but that doesn't deplete the wonderment factor. 

Because as the events following this lockout unfold, the Knicks and their fans, especially if New York fails to complete its super team, may be left contemplating "what if."