According to NBA front-office sources, the New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder have completed a deal that sends center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder, according to NBA front-office sources. The Thunder would be sending Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith (both expiring contracts) and Devon Hardin in exchange for Chandler. The deal was clearly financially motivated, as Chandler is inked to make about $24.5 million in the next two years, and the Hornets were on pace to have a $77 million payroll next season with Chandler on the books.
This is a bit of a head-scratcher for the Hornets. They give up their (by far) best defensive big man, who is their only real presence in the paint. With Dallas, Utah and Phoenix close on their heels in the playoff race, this could certainly put the Hornets’ playoff hopes in jeopardy. Even if they do make it to the playoffs, they will not be able to handle the teams that have a serious inside presence (ala Lakers, Spurs, Rockets, Blazers). Take a look at the new Hornets roster – there isn’t a player on that team above 6′11″ (Hilton Armstrong) and their other notable bigs outside of David West include Melvin Ely and Sean Marks. In my mind, they are essentially kissing their hopes of making any noise in the playoffs goodbye. Sure, Wilcox and Smith will be serviceable this year, but it’s sad to see that a team that had the second best record in the west last year is now abandoning ship. Even worse, who is Chris Paul going to throw alley-oops to now?
For the Thunder, welcome to the first stop on the road to validity. The Thunder have already
assembled a team of excellent young talent on the wings with the likes of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. A main component of their struggles has been the lack of an inside presence. Adding Chandler certainly helps to shore up the team defensively, and will also give them the intensity and emotion that the Thunder have often lacked. Chandler is about as good a fit for them at center as they could have asked for, as he is athletic, defends well, and can run the floor – which is important to this young and uptempo team. Even better news for the Thunder is that they are sitting at 13-40, and even with a boost from Chandler in the final stretch they will find themselves in position for a great lottery pick. If they could somehow manage to nab Blake Griffin in the draft, this team would be looking like one of the rising threats in the west.
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I’m crediting the Ben Wallace award for getting this thing done.
I actually think this is a win-win for both teams. Chandler will give the Thunder a better presence inside and the Hornets just got deeper in the middle. Now Hilton Armstrong won’t have to crap on the court every game.
Great stuff, Stu.
Thanks Zach! Maybe with a bigger role in OKC Chandler will be able to play himself out of Ben Wallace award contention! Deeper, maybe – but I’m sure not envious of their big man selection.