NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets Are Best Fit for Free Agent Tyson Chandler

The Houston Rockets are one of the more underrated non-playoff teams from the 2010-11 season. The team has a proven high volume scorer in Kevin Martin, who is very underrated in his own right. The Rocket rookie class is full of talented young bigs, with Marcus Morris and Donatas Montiejunas leading the way.

Right now, the best possible addition for the Rockets would be a center.

The Rockets have shown interest in Nene, but the best fit from a financial standpoint is Tyson Chandler. Chandler is fresh from helping to anchor a much improved Dallas Mavericks defense, which was a key factor in the Mavs championship run.

Marc Stein is reporting through a tweet that the Rockets are among the teams Chandler will be talking to on Monday:

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As negotiations with Mavericks have stalled, Golden State, Houston and New Jersey have emerged as three most serious suitors for Chandler

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Nene seems to be in line for a huge contract, that may push for a max level deal, yet he isn't significantly better than Chandler. Nene is not someone who should be considered a premier post scoring threat. The Rockets are better off trying to find that skill set elsewhere, or in one of their young post players.

Chandler can help start the Kevin McHale era off nicely with a defensive presence in the middle. Rookies like Montiejunas will have the privilege of learning and developing under one of the greatest low post players in NBA history in McHale.

The Rockets should not settle for a second tier talent that they have to pay a max deal for, such as Nene. Baby steps are the best option, as there are no players available this offseason that will turn them in to champions.