NBA Free Agents 2011: Tyson Chandler Is Overhyped and Teams Should Stay Away

Center Tyson Chandler is the most coveted free agent in the NBA—which says a lot more about how pathetic this class of free agents is than how great Chandler is.

Chandler will likely require elite, big man money, but he won't present teams with a return on their investment. His great run with the Dallas Mavericks, en route to their championship, shouldn't cause teams to forget that Chandler is not and never will be a top-flight center.

There are a lot of teams that could use his presence in the frontcourt. His 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game would be useful, but he's not even close to worth it for the money he will require.

He's the big man in the free agency pool, and teams will pay as though he's the type of player who can take over a game.

He's not.

The LA Times points out that teams that like to spend are going to be adversely affected by the luxury tax influx. Even teams that aren't afraid to open their wallets will be more reluctant to do so.

That includes Mark Cuban and the Mavs—a team that has to be considered a front runner in retaining Chandler.

Teams that may not have minded overpaying for Chandler before could easily be dissuaded from doing so now—as they should.

Chandler averaged 6.2 rebounds per game with the Bobcats and fizzled in Charlotte just a year before winning it all in Dallas. He looked great next to Dirk Nowitzki, but what happens when he doesn't have an elite player next to him in the frontcourt?

Chandler presents a lot of risk and a huge tab for teams. Somebody will take the bait, but he's not worth the money to a single team in the NBA.