The Phoenix Suns are buying out veteran center Tyson Chandler. Upon clearing waivers, he’s expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Phoenix Suns are finalizing a buyout with veteran center Tyson Chandler. He will sign with the LA Lakers upon clearing waivers, which being owed about $13 million, he will almost assuredly not be claimed.
In July 2015, Chandler signed a 4-year $52 million deal to come to Phoenix.
He didn’t do enough on the court to be worth that contract.
The signing was, at least in wishful thinking, done to lure then free agent and star forward LaMarcus Aldridge to the Suns.
Aldridge ended up not coming, signing instead with the San Antonio Spurs, leaving Phoenix with an aging center and no backup plan.
This is Chandler’s fourth season in the Valley. He played 166 games here, making 63% of his field goals and averaging 7.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 25 minutes per game.
Tyson Chandler’s 62.8% FG% ranks #1 in Phoenix #Suns history for a career, eclipsing Mark West’s 61.3%. #TimeToRise
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) November 3, 2018
This season he played 7 games, making 67% of his shots and logging 3.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.1 blocks in only 12.7 minutes per match.
2016-17 was arguably his best statistical year in purple and orange, pulling down 11.5 boards in 27.6 minutes per night.
The biggest issue wasn’t really with Tyson but rather the team as a whole.
Through the dysfunction and rebuild, he was the consummate professional. He was a great locker room presence and mentor. He’s a tough guy with a winning spirit that provided solid leadership and was a class act through all the “bad happenings” over his stint here.
Understandably, per John Gambadoro – Chandler had grown extremely frustrated with the Suns and was tired of losing and being shut down.
Tyson had grown extremely frustrated with the Suns. He had won an NBA Championship, Olympic gold medal, Defensive Player of the year and he was tired of losing, being shut down. LA is home, has off-season home there, from Compton. Previously wanted to go to Wash, GS and Houston.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) November 3, 2018
Gambo also said LA is home and Tyson has an off season home there.
There is a good possibility that the Lakers (presuming he lands there) will be the last franchise for him to go too. He’s very close to retirement and might call it quits after this season.
With this move the Suns save some money, should Tyson decide to give them a discount on the buyout.
In the short term at least, this provides more run for 25-year-old big man Richaun Holmes. He’s played fairly well in his limited minutes so far this season and provides energy and hustle. He’s grabbed 14 boards and swatted 2 shots in 38 total minutes. He can be a good backup for number one pick Deandre Ayton.
It also opens a roster spot for Phoenix.
They can sign someone that they see as a good young prospect.
They open some trade possibilities as they can pull off a 1 for 2 trade or send a draft pick for a player.
Phoenix Suns
They can sign a guy they feel can help battle with Holmes for backup center minutes.
Maybe someone like Deyonta Davis, who is a young (21-years-old), athletic big man. Davis played in 62 games last season, making 61% of his shots and posting 5.8 points, 4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in just 15.2 minutes per game. He may be a welcome addition to the squad.
Potentially the only bad out of this for Phoenix is that they no longer have the ability of potentially being able to use Chandler’s large, expiring contract as a trade chip and therefore limited their trade options IF they planned to make a move that would have needed to involved a larger salary.
For the Lakers, this is a smart move. They have a revived JaVale McGee as their starting center. However, with him on the bench they go from an above average defense to a Swiss cheese one.
It’s got holes.
They’ve got some good run out of rookie Johnathan Williams but he’s not consistent. The biggest weakness for LA is the backup center position. Smaller players have been thrown in but haven’t been successful. Chandler is a legit 7-foot bruiser.
How he’s started this season in Phoenix leaves a serious question of just how much he has left in the tank. As long as they don’t expect him to do too much, he’s an upgrade from what they have and would surely help with playoff aspirations.
If they are OK with a solid 15 minutes from him, they won’t be disappointed. They just shouldn’t expect much more than that at this stage in his career.
With Rajon Rondo now on the bench, he’s a pick and roll player that can set solid screens and finish at the rim.
He still has one dominant skill – rebounding. He’s one of 40 players in league history to have grabbed 10,000 career boards. That alone will help as it will create more shot opportunities for them.
However, if they’re expecting a rim protector and above average defense, they might not be looking in the right direction. In the last 5 seasons his block average has dwindled from 1.2 to 0.7 to a career low 0.1 per game this season.
If you’re irrationally scared he will go to a rival and help more than expected, don’t be. He’s 36-years-old and at the end of his run while our Suns are attempting to start one.
Rather, wish him the best. He’s an NBA Champion. A former All-Star. A former Defensive Player of the Year award winner. He won Olympic Gold. Now, he’s going home. Where he will attempt to help a little more before riding off into the sunset.
Farewell, Tyson Chandler. Thank you.