Making a case for Tyson Chandler

The Nuggets desire for size just got a little more interesting earlier this week when reports came out that Charlotte’s Tyson Chandler was going to opt  for early termination from his contract, a contract that would pay him over $12 million in his final season.

His actions are completely baffling because no team is going to pay Chandler even half of that with his injury history, despite him only turning 28 this October. What is Chandler’s loss could be the Nuggets gain.

A healthy Chandler would be everything the Nuggets lacked this last season (outside of a low-post threat). At 7-foot-1 he is an intimidator in the post and is quick enough to defend guards on the perimeter. He is also one of the better rebounder in the NBA, who averaged more than 10 rebounds in two seasons.

He doesn’t bring much on offense, he could put Nene back into his normal position at power forward, where the Brazilian is more comfortable. However, it would also force the Nuggets hand into dealing Kenyon Martin in the last year of his contract or else Chandler or Martin would have to come off the bench because it would be hard to see the duo on the floor together. He also would be another injury-proned big man to an already shackled front line.

While the Nuggets could sign Chandler out-right, they could also deal JR Smith to get the veteran big man.

Quick Chandler Facts

• He was the second pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers and than traded for Elton Brand.
• He has only averaged double-figure in points once in his career, 11.8 points in the 2007-08 season.
• Was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunders during the 2009 trade deadline, but he failed the physical and the trade was revoked.
• The Hornets sent him to Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor in the summer of 2009.