NBA Rumors: Tyson Chandler Too Expensive for Warriors, DeAndre Jordan Better Fit

It's clear that Joe Lacob desperately wants to make an on-court splash for his Golden State Warriors in the same manner that he made cannonballs in the front office.

But a Tyson Chandler signing has all of the makings of a belly-flop for this organization.

Even when Chris Paul was an option in Oakland and signing Chandler would have reportedly bolstered the team's chances of Paul signing an extension, it would have been a bad move.

Now that Paul's reportedly a Laker, the Warriors need to avoid Chandler at all costs.

Especially at $60 million over four years.

Warriors fans may covet Chandler's defensive prowess and interior presence, but when's the last time a fan base has clamored for their team to shell out upwards of $15 million per season for a 29-year-old one-way player with a shaky injury history and a career scoring average of 8.3 points?

Still not convinced Chandler would not be the answer for this Warriors team?

Consider this: Chandler has averaged just 0.6 points and 0.8 rebounds more for his career than current Warrior Andris Biedrins. Yes, the same Biedrins that fans would rather the team pay $27 million to stay away from the sidelines than see him play one more game in Oakland.

The Warriors' fans are right in one aspect: the team does need an interior presence. But it's hard to find any reason that Chandler would be a better fit than Los Angeles Clippers' restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan.

Jordan has intimidating size (6'11", 265 lbs) and averaged nearly a full block more than Chandler (1.8 to 1.1) per game despite averaging three fewer minutes. And, although neither possesses much offensive skill, at least Jordan has time on his side and could develop into an offensive threat.

Jordan's six years younger than Chandler and the Warriors would have a chance to sign a blossoming big man at a still-reasonable price—the Clippers reportedly offered him a five-year, $40 million contract —as opposed to overspending for Chandler, who has either peaked or is now on the downside of his career.

Chandler is a great piece for a club on the cusp of a championship run. Even the most optimistic Warriors fans are hoping for a top-six playoff spot at best next season.

Signing Jordan would allow him to grow with his teammates and leave the Warriors with a young, talented nucleus that has years to grow together.

Signing Chandler, meanwhile, might earn the club a playoff berth this season, but a likely opening-round defeat. Any deal longer than three years would almost ensure that Chandler would be worse at the end of the contract than he is now, even though his price would not drop with his talent level.

Would it be that shocking if Chandler became an amnesty candidate over that four-year span?

For a club that has over $30 million committed to three players (Biedrins, David Lee and Monta Ellis) for at least the next two seasons and a rising superstar (Stephen Curry) setting himself up for a hefty raise, bargain shopping should be the collective mindset of the front office.

Especially when bargain shopping could net a player like Jordan who has yet to realize his full potential in the league.