The Phoenix Suns are rumored to be shopping Tyson Chandler. What could they get in return?
Chandler is a 35-year-old vet that clearly doesn’t fit the timeline. The Suns are clearly in all out rebuilding mode. Tyson has expressed he likes mentoring the youth, is okay here and does not care to chase another ring. But, his ideal fit is getting 20-25 minutes as a solid contributor for a team that will be making a playoff push.
Any player that sticks in the league in a key role as a vet has at least one skill-set that makes him stand out. For Chandler, that is his rebounding. As of November 12, he is averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds (16th in the league), 6.1 defensive rebounds (35th) and 9 total rebounds per game (18th). This is in only 25.6 minutes per game (144th). Tyson is also still an above average finisher shown by his 60% FG accuracy which would put him 8th among all qualified NBA players if he took more attempts.
These stats would be welcome on any team looking to get to or make a run in the playoffs. And for a team struggling in the rebounds department, despite the 2 years and $26M left on his contract (not bad if you look around at big man deals), being able to grab him and add him in while not having to give up much, is a golden opportunity.
Let’s look at 10 potential scenarios.
Trade Scenario #1 – Cleveland Cavaliers
OUT – Tyson Chandler and a 2nd round pick
IN – Channing Frye, Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic
Why for the Cavaliers? Why not? For an Eastern Conference power, they are currently 24th in the league in offensive rebounds, 20th in defensive rebounds and 23rd in total rebounds per game. This may be a big reason why they are sluggish out of the gate (6-7). Chandler could definitely boost them and grab boards right away as their new starting center. Plus neither of the three players they would be trading are playing more than 6.5 minutes per night and they get a 2nd round pick for taking on a reasonable contract in terms of need. This deal would also send Kevin Love back to his natural power forward position, thus adding more scoring as he could just focus there again.
Why for the Suns? Frye is a good vet and locker room presence – as well as a former well-liked Sun – but also an expiring contract. He could be asked whether he “wants to be here” and if not they could just waive him and know that they would have additional cap room for this coming summer, or use him in another trade. Cedi Osman is owed roughly $8M total through 2020. The team could buy him out or send him elsewhere. Ante Zizic could be a prize in this deal. He’s only 20-years-old, was a 1st round pick and could blossom into a capable center.
Trade Scenario #2 – Miami Heat
OUT – Tyson Chandler, Mike James and the protected Milwaukee 1st round pick
IN – Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Bam Adebayo
Why for the Heat? Miami has Hassan Whiteside in the middle already and they are 16th in rebounds per game. But, when he comes off the floor having a veteran big that can pick right up in the rebounding department would be great. Wayne Ellington is a decent shooter but he can be replaced with their backcourt. Tyler Johnson could be replaced by Mike James as their backup point guard behind Goran Dragic and would probably be a better fit at the position. They also get a 1st round pick given the Suns own two of theirs over the next few years.
Why for the Suns? Mike James has been a good story but he’s 27 and he’s not the answer for Phoenix at PG. Tyler Johnson is two years younger at 25, would fit in the timeline, and would at the least make for a very interesting back court with Devin Booker. Wayne Ellington is an expiring contract and could either be waived or used in another trade. Bam Bam was a 1st round pick and would be a solid, physical prospect at center.
Trade Scenario #3 – Charlotte Hornets
OUT – Tyson Chandler and Troy Daniels
IN – Cody Zeller and Malik Monk
Why for the Hornets? After starting the season 5-3, Charlotte is in a four game free fall and now 5-7. Michael Jordan loves winners and you would have to think someone of Chandler’s pedigree and work ethic would be a blessing. Also, Zeller is in a filled front court and has two more years left on his contract than Chandler does. So, financially this trade would help Charlotte while bringing in a solid veteran to one of the youngest teams and a better fit backup center that can just focus on rebounds relieving Dwight Howard while Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams can focus on scoring. They lose Malik Monk but getting Troy Daniels helps numb that pain. Jeremy Lamb came out this year on a mission and Nicolas Batum is nearing a return.
Why for the Suns? Cody Zeller is owed around $12M per year for 4 years. Seems a little steep but if you look at solid big men and their contracts, realize this next statement. He is only 25, fits in the timeline, and is much better than shown. He shares a front court with Dwight Howard, Frank Kaminsky, Marvin Williams and at times even Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He averages around 8 points 7 boards and 1 block in only 19 minutes. That’s a stunning 15.5 points 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes. Yeah, that’s asking for too much but there’s no reason he couldn’t put up numbers like 15 points 10 rebounds 1.5 blocks per game. He’d be locked up for four years on a good deal as the Suns starting center. Phoenix would also get a rookie they were very high on in Malik Monk. They worked him out three times. Whether next to Booker or as a 6th man, he’d offer a lot of firepower to a team in need of another weapon.
Trade Scenario #4 – Philadelphia 76ers
OUT – Tyson Chandler and Troy Daniels
IN – Jerryd Bayless and Jahlil Okafor
Why for the 76ers? They are already shopping Okafor and won’t get much for him due to him being an unrestricted free agent after this season. Tyson Chandler, as a solid rebounder off the bench and a good mentor for Joel Embiid, would be paid $6M more total in two years than Bayless who is part of a crowded back court. Yes, he is a solid 3-point shooter, but that’s why Daniels is being thrown in so that off sets.
Why for the Suns? Bayless’ contract is the same length as Chandler’s but it’d be a savings of $3M per year while bringing in a 3-point shooter and AZ product who can play either guard position. Good move. Jahlil Okafor will be free to sign with any team this coming summer but if a team gets him out his predicament in Philly and gives him ample playing time, I honestly think he’d sign back on with that team knowing he found something good after being in a bad situation. Why leave for the unknown? For all those doubting his defense, he can learn just like Devin Booker is and could become decent at it. It takes time. He’s only 21 and averaged 17.5 points 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as a rookie. He could easily become an All-Star center in this league. Why not here? Phoenix will kick themselves if he does it somewhere else and at this price it’s too good of a risk not to acquire him.
Trade Scenario #5 – Minnesota Timberwolves
OUT – Tyson Chandler and a 2nd round pick
IN – Cole Aldrich and Tyus Jones
Why for the Wolves? 27th in the league in defensive rebounds? That needs to change. Aldrich has been on the trade block for a long time. Minnesota, will you pay $11.4M total more over this season and next to upgrade Aldrich to Chandler, have another vet for Thibodeau and turn your front court into a scary quartet of Karl Anthony Towns, Taj Gibson, Gorgui Dieng and Tyson Chandler? Bring it into the paint against that front court. I dare you. They’ have a metaphorical cage around the paint. Enter and never leave. Tyus Jones is behind Jeff Teague at least for three seasons. Aaron Brooks is a capable backup with his departure and they get a 2nd round pick.
Why for the Suns? An Aldrich-Chandler swap would save the Suns $5.7M per season this and next. The team would probably buy him out. The reason Phoenix does this is Tyus Jones. It’s a tiny price for another point guard. He fits the timeline, is only 21, and is a decent -point shooter (33.6% career), is a play maker, and a good defender (2.7 assists and .8 steals in 14 minutes for career). Those are the three things needed for a good floor leader in this league. He’s very raw but he could excel here. Take his last 10 games where he took at least 5 shot attempts and his last 10 games where he played at least 20 minutes. This will show a 45-34-70 shooting line with 7.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He could very well develop into a good player.
Trade Scenario #6 – Memphis Grizzlies
OUT – Tyson Chandler and 2 Toronto 2nd rounders
IN – Brandan Wright and Ben McLemore
Why for the Grizzlies? Brandan Wright is an expiring contract and Tyson Chandler is an obvious upgrade at center when Marc Gasol is resting. Memphis is the second worst rebounding team in the league. That would quickly change. Also, Ben McLemore is expendable with how good offseason addition Tyreke Evans is playing. Two 2nd round picks would sweeten the pot.
Why for the Suns? Waive Wright immediately and free up an additional $7M in cap room for this summer. Ben McLemore fits the timeline and could either start with Booker in a high octane back court or come off the bench and score at will with a green light as a 6th man. Win win.
Trade Scenario #7 – Portland Trail Blazers
OUT – Tyson Chandler and Milwaukee’s protected 1st round pick
IN – Ed Davis, Zach Collins and Jake Layman
Why for the Blazers? Ed Davis has a contract that ends at the end of this season. Jake Layman is a reserve. Zach Collins is promising but Tyson Chandler helps them now as a sure thing in a playoff run. They also get a 1st round pick in this deal.
Why for the Suns? Waive Ed Davis and create $8M more spending money this coming free agency period. Buy out Jake Layman who is only owed $2.6M combined for this year and next. The prize in this deal is 1st round pick Zach Collins who could be a good center prospect for the team.
Trade Scenario #8 – New Orleans Pelicans
OUT – Tyson Chandler and Troy Daniels
IN – Alexis Ajinca and ETwaun Moore
Why for the Pelicans? Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins is a monster front court duo. But they need rest. Omer Asik is out indefinitely. Tyson Chandler would be a reliable back up while both stars rest as the other can play power forward while he is in at center. If Cousins leaves in free agency, the team would still have Tyson at center next to Anthony Davis. A serious drop off but Chandler would still provide a solid post presence and rebounder. E’Twaun Moore’s role could be filled by the solid 3-point shooting Troy Daniels brings.
Why for the Suns? Alexis Ajinca is a solid backup center when healthy and could also be shipped later on in another deal. E’Twaun Moore is 28 but would provide instant offense off the bench for at least the three remaining years on his contract.
Trade Scenario #9 – Utah Jazz
OUT – Tyson Chandler, Mike James and Milwaukee’s protected 1st round pick
IN – Derrick Favors and Raul Neto
Why for the Jazz? 27th in rebounds per game needs to change if they want a chance at the playoffs. Rudy Gobert will miss 4-6 weeks due to injury. That leaves Ekpe Udoh as their only impactful center at this time. Chandler would be perfect to fill in for the Stifle Tower and then also bring a rebounding upgrade off the bench when he comes back. Yes, Favors is their starting power forward, but they could slide Rodney Hood to small forward, Joe Ingles to a stretch 4, and start Donovan Mitchell at the 2. Mike James would bring more scoring off the bench and would be a good backup point guard for Ricky Rubio. The Jazz would also get another draft pick for their future.
Why for the Suns? Derrick Favors will be an unrestricted free agent this coming summer but – and if – it doesn’t work out and they decide to not offer him a contract extension, then the Suns could just let him walk and have more spending money. However, he’s only 26, which makes him young enough to blend in on this team and if he can come any where close to the 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks type of numbers he averaged in 2015-16, it would be a blessing for a team that could use consistency at power forward. Raul Neto is 25 and hasn’t had a fair chance in this league as a point guard. After shooting 39.5% on treys, and scoring 5.9 points and dishing out 2.1 assists with .8 steals in only 18.5 minutes as a rookie, he has barely received playing time in his second and third years. Take the 13 games where he took at least 8 shots and the 17 games where he played at least 25 minutes, and you get 48.7% 3 point shooting 10.3 points 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals. He has obviously developed being this is his third season and learning from Ricky Rubio and I’m sure his passing is even better also.
Trade Scenario #10 – Oklahoma City Thunder
OUT – Tyson Chandler and Troy Daniels
IN – Alex Abrines, Kyle Singler and a 1st round pick
Why for the Thunder? Tyson Chandler would instantly help them rise from 30th in defensive rebounds and 21st in total rebounds per game. He’d be a legit center off the pine when Steven Adams need a breather. Troy Daniels would help Carmelo Anthony and Paul George with their spacing and provide 3-point shooting off the bench.
Why for the Suns? Phoenix would buy out Kyle Singler. He is only added to make the money work. Alex Abrines is only 24, would fit with the timeline and is a 38% 3-point shooter so far in his young career. He has 2 years $11M left on his contract, but for a shooter that is decent and only about $2M more than Troy Daniels will be making over the same time frame. Also, this is probably one of the very few scenarios where the Suns would realistically get a 1st round pick in return, even if it will be late in the draft.
Out of respect to Tyson Chandler and his legacy, Phoenix needs to send him to a playoff team and either of these deals would do the trick. It will be interesting to see what the Suns end up getting in return.
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Do you have your own ideas? Please let us know!