The New York Knicks have one more game and then a rebuilding offseason begins. That could mean many things for the team. Rebuilding could include the return of Carmelo Anthony, the release of Amar'e Stoudemire or the firing of Mike Woodson. Phil Jackson has a lot of decisions to make this summer, but some players might make it easier for him and simply request a move.
Tyson Chandler is making his intentions for the future known loud and clear. With the Knicks officially eliminated from the playoffs, players are not thrilled about ending things earlier than originally intended. According to Chandler he is not interested in having this situation happen again and now he is sounding more like a guy requesting a move to team already set up to win.
"I definitely don't want to waste another season,'' Chandler said, via the 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. That decision isn't going to be in my hands."
The issue for Chandler is whether or not the Knicks make this offseason their main focus for rebuilding or wait for the free agency pool in 2015. The center has one year and $14 million remaining on his contract. This offseason, the Knicks main priority is Anthony is attempting to re-sign him before pouncing on the 2015 free agency class which will include Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo and LaMarcus Aldridge amongst others. Chandler is not interested in waiting another year.
The center faced plenty of trade rumors during the season and appeared good as gone before the trade deadline, but the Knicks failed to make a move. That makes Chandler a top trading piece for Jackson this summer. His expiring contract and solid stats make his return value very high and could even garner the Knicks some draft picks which they desperately need.
"The first year I got here, I understood it would be a building situation,'' Chandler said. "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. I never want to be in a situation like this. I pride myself on being a competitor and taking the team to another level."
If Chandler is ready for a trade, he will get one. Anthony's future will likely determine just how serious Chandler gets about exiting now rather than later. If the center wants to win, he might find that type of destination hard to come by. The Los Angeles Lakers could make a run at him if Pau Gasol walks away, but they are in no position to contend just yet. The Brooklyn Nets might look his direction depending on the health of Brook Lopez, but with the fast development of Mason Plumlee, a trade might not be necessary.
So while Chandler is seeking a trade, Stoudemire is hoping for a return. The forward has no interest in being released even though he has heard the rumors of a possibility. The Knicks will likely make several big roster moves in Jackson's first offseason. If Chandler gets his way, he will be one of the them.
