Tyson Chandler was not a happy man at the end of the 2013-14 season. The center had much higher expectations heading into the year that failed to be met. In a win-now mentality, Chandler openly questioned whether the New York Knicks could meet those needs. As the team attempts to retain Carmelo Anthony for the future, Chandler hinted that he wants out if his teammate is gone.
Anthony is the Knick's best building piece. He is the player that will attract other big names. His production on the court is hard to replace as his face-of-the-franchise status. There is a very real possibility that Anthony could opt to head elsewhere in free agency. Several teams more built to win sooner are working to pursue him. If he leaves, Chandler is going to demand a trade.
"I definitely don't want to waste another season,'' Chandler said, via New York Post. "I don't want to waste this season. I'm not into wasting seasons. Your time is too short in this league and I want to win a championship, another one. I'm not into wasting seasons. The first year I got here, I understood it would be a building situation. I felt we had core pieces, just a matter of getting pieces to go along with that. Second year I thought we made strides. This year was just unexpected. I didn't expect it.''
Chandler says he never wants to be in a rebuilding situation again. However, if Anthony leaves, that is exactly what the Knicks will be doing. Right now, the team is cash strapped with giant contracts dedicated to Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire and others. With no draft picks either, the team will be at the state it was when Chandler first joined. He is hoping to avoid that and simply get sent elsewhere.
Phil Jackson is ready to clean house and that could include Chandler whether he asks for it or not. The new team president has yet to endorse the center for the future and ESPN's Ian Begley reports the Knicks will not miss another chance to deal Chandler. They had the opportunity at the 2014 deadline and opted not to take it. He is no longer considered "untouchable" like he was with then-president Steve Mills.
The Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder could all be options for a deal. The Dallas Morning News is reporting the Mavericks like the idea of bringing back the center who helped them win an NBA championship. Mark Cuban feels the center is the big body the team needs. The Lakers will look to Chandler if Pau Gasol officially does not return. The Dallas Morning News also reports the Oklahoma City Thunder could be in the mix. They attempted to get Chandler once before but never completed the deal.
If Chandler is available, he instantly becomes one of the best free agents on the market. His $14.6 million salary is a lot to take on, but a team in need of one more big piece could look at him as a year rental.