Midseason report card with second half expectations

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton /
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Tyson Chandler

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a dunk over Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after a dunk over Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at Staples Center on February 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Tyson Chandler’s role on this roster is to be a veteran leader who is to help guide the younglings through their early years as professionals and lead by example what it not only looks like to be a professional, but what it takes to win.

Chandler has done that, and then some. While this season has been a bit of a statistical drop, the drop-off has been anything but stark and he remains a valuable center on the roster who is needed especially in those matchups with stronger starting centers in the league that neither Alex Len nor Dragan Bender can bang around with.

For the rest of the season I expect Chandler to continue being who he is and change nothing. His minutes might slip some more as Dragan Bender is continuing to get time at center, a strategy that immediately prior to the All-Star Break seemed to be ramping up a lot. Then this offseason I expect Chandler to be traded, his expiring contract playing a strategic role in such a move.

Grade: A-