Tyson Chandler could sign for the New York Knicks – NBA Update
Coveted centre Tyson Chandler is reportedly on the verge of signing for the New York Knicks. The star who served as a defensive lynchpin last season for the NBA World Champions Dallas Mavericks is a free agent and had earlier suggested that he might not return for the champs next season.
"New York is Tyson's first choice," one source told ESPN.com, confirming a Thursday report from CBSSports.com that the Knicks have jumped into the race for Chandler.
The centre was previously thought to be close to making a switch to the Golden State Warriors. With New York though, Chandler has a better chance of competing for the NBA World Championship and the centre wants more of that after getting a taste last season.
In fact, the move is already being considered a done deal in Knicks circles.
"It's 98 percent sure that Tyson is going to wind up with the Knicks." The source added.
Chandler had never really fulfilled his potential since coming into the NBA because of a number of reasons, injuries being one of them. He bounced around the league hoping to find some rhythm, and finally came into his own at Dallas last season.
The giant centre proved to be a perfect fit alongside the elegant German super star Dirk Nowitzki for the Mavericks and the two formed a base for that franchise’s first NBA World Championship. Dallas though have long been over budgeted and with an attractive class of free agents coming out in 2012, Mark Cuban has decided not to retain the service of free agents such as Chandler and save some salary cap room for a super star player.
The Mavericks loss is a gain for the New York Knicks. New York are undergoing a rebuilding process of their own. Last season, they signed two super stars in power forward Amar’e Stoudemire and small forward Carmelo Anthony.
The star power helped New York get back to the playoffs, but injuries meant they didn’t really pose a threat to the Boston Celtics in the first round. Injuries notwithstanding, the franchise has admitted a weakness on defence.
Tyson could prove to be the perfect cure for that, with his defensive credentials coming out gracefully in the NBA Finals and playoffs last season. With him manning the fort, New York can look forward to fully unleashing the combined attacking potential of Stoudemire and Anthony.
It’s an exciting prospect, but it might not actually be what the Knicks have in mind. Reports are already emerging that if Chandler signs, Stoudemire could be on his way out. The Knicks management could offer the power forward in a trade for New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul.
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