NBA Free Agents 2011: Best Landing Spots for Tyson Chandler
From all appearances, Tyson Chandler will not be a part of the Mavericks' quest to repeat in the 2011-12 season.
ESPN's Rich Bucher quoted Chandler as saying the following: "I really think I'm going to be on a new team come training camp. I'm really taking a hard look at all of my options, trying to see what best suits me."
That's something that can certainly change in time. But for the sake of argument, let's say that what Chandler said ends up being true.
In that same article, Bucher said that the leading candidates to acquire Chandler's services are the New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. This time, let's take Bucher at his word and assume that Chandler goes to one of those teams.
Who's the best fit?
New Jersey Nets
This one depends on one thing. Will the Nets bring back Deron Williams? To a degree, there is a chicken and egg quality here. It makes sense that Williams would only want to come back if he believes the team has a chance to win.
On the other side, it makes sense that those players would only want to go to New Jersey if they knew that Williams would, in fact, stay.
It's tricky, but I like this fit.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have a lot of talent on their team. What they don't feature much of is depth, particularly on the inside. Chandler would turn a great weakness into a great strength.
Coming from Dallas, he's used to the style of play that the Warriors use. Clearly, he didn't hold Dallas back.
Chandler's asking price would be high, and that's a slight problem. Still, it's not one that should be focused too much on.
Houston Rockets
This is another move that makes sense. The Rockets are certainly a team that's on the brink of making the playoffs. Like the Warriors, some inside bang would make some difference.
What has me a little concerned here is that the Rockets don't lack depth. Chandler is a good player, but he's not a star. The Rockets need a little bit of star appeal.
This move makes some sense, but I don't think it would exponentially improve the team.
Toronto Raptors
This is one that I am just not seeing. At 29, Chandler's a little too old to be a part of a rebuilding project. Coming off of a 22-60 season, the Raptors are clearly in the middle of one of those.
He would make the team better, but I can't imagine a player coming off of an NBA Championship wanting any part of a project like this. A lot more would have to happen for the Raptors before this move made sense.
Of all of the teams listed, the Warriors and Nets make the most sense, with a slight edge going to Golden State, as their situation is a little more stable.
He'd be a nice move for the Rockets, but they need more star appeal than Chandler to really go to the next level.
The Raptors are far and away the least sensible move. Their team is too far away from contention for a player like Chandler. None of these three teams made the playoffs a season ago, but they all have more talent in place to contend.
