NBA Rumors: Why Mavericks Can't Afford to Lose Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler may not be with the Dallas Mavericks next season.

And it could keep the Mavericks from repeating as NBA champions.

On Wednesday, Chandler dropped a bombshell, saying he didn't think he would be with the Mavericks come training camp.

"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," Chandler said, via ESPN.

I just cannot believe the Mavericks wouldn't re-sign Chandler. The team wouldn't have won a championship last season without the spectacular play of Dirk Nowitzki, but it also wouldn't have won a title without Chandler, who gave it something it had been lacking for years: a true defensive force in the post.

There have been rumors the Mavericks are one of six teams pursuing free-agent center Nene Hilario, and that makes even more sense if they decide to let Chandler walk.

However, Hilario isn't the defensive force that Chandler is, and even added point production from the coveted big man wouldn't help the Mavericks as much as against the explosive offensive teams of the NBA, including the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Miami Heat.

I went on record recently saying owner Mark Cuban was too smart and too accomplished an owner to ever let Chandler go, and I'm hoping that's still the case, for the Mavericks' sake.

I'm guessing Chandler is asking for more money than the Mavericks care to give him, and he is a 29-year-old center who has had problems with injuries in the past, so I can understand where the Mavericks may be coming from.

But Chandler isn't going to all of a sudden fall off the face of the Earth, especially given his stellar play last season. Plus, you lose a significant advantage in the rebounding department if you let Chandler walk. He averaged a team-high 9.4 rebounds last season, including 9.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

Mavericks fans better hope Chandler stays with the team, or the chance of repeating will all but vanish.