Knicks Trade Rumors: Replacing Ronny Turiaf with Tyson Chandler Is Exceptional

According to the Washington Post, with nearly $ 5 million cleared, the New York Knicks are just one step closer to their ultimate goal: acquiring free agent center Tyson Chandler.

The Knicks will trade power forward Ronny Turiaf to the Washington Wizards and are expected to receive nothing in return.  The team is content with the fact it has now cleared the $ 4.2 million that Turiaf was to be paid this season.

In turn, the Knicks now have the cap space to sign Chandler to help improve the Knicks defensively.

It is not exactly a direct trade of Chandler for Turiaf, yet essentially that is exactly what these Knicks are doing.

The team allowed 105.7 points per game last season, ranking No. 28 in the NBA.

Talk about a poor showing.

With players like Carmelo Anthony and Ama're Stoudemire, there is a tendency to have a more offensive-minded team.  Last season, the team was No. 2 in the league in points per game, proving that offensively there are no gaps.

Chandler is a defensive machine that has shown he is a veteran with a plethora of skill to still offer.

Last season with the Dallas Mavericks, Chandler averaged 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 27.8 minutes per game.  He is a player worthy of a starting role that makes the most of the minutes he gets.

This will be key for the Knicks defensively, as it is the one area of their game that lacks discipline.

There are also talks of Chauncey Billups not expecting to be with the team next season, which would free that much more money for the franchise to bring in quality talents.

Expect the Knicks to jump on signing Chandler within the next few days, hoping to have the team competing with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.