The Mavericks' move to obtain Tyson Chandler from the New York Knicks as the centerpiece of a six-player trade might mean more than gaining a top-tier player.
With the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year in the fold, Dallas believes it now has a great recruiting piece to land either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James this offseason and Chandler is willing to do anything he can to land the top free agents for his team.
"Absolutely, I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team and the organization," Chandler said during a conference call. "At the end of the day, free agency is kind of an individual thing. And I know that I was once there and it comes down to your family and what's best for you career-wise."
Chandler went on to explain that the Mavericks should be a top destination for any player looking to win a championship.
"Dallas isn't a bad place to be," Chandler said. "It's a great opportunity, and clearly we've done it in the past. It's not a hard place to sell. I'm going to do whatever it takes."
This will be Chandler's second stint with the Mavericks as he was a part of the 2011 championship team. He signed a long-term deal with the Knicks prior to the 2011-12 season, playing side by side with Anthony, developing a good relationship with him over his three seasons in New York.
"He's a great dude," Chandler said. "He wants to win and he wants to be in a system and he wants to be in a culture. I think that's going to go into a big part of his decision-making. His talent is unquestionable."
While Chandler said he would do whatever it takes to land Anthony, or even James, the Mavs' new center knows that both players are going to do whatever is best for them and their family. However he does believe Dallas' core of Dirk Nowitzki and himself on the roster should be enough motivation to sign with the team.
"As far as me recruiting him and telling him this, this and that, he already knows," Chandler said. "He already knows what's coming, but if he has questions for me about the organization or any of the players that I played with that are there now, I'm more than willing to answer."
Chandler also believes the Mavericks' winning mentality with head coach Rick Carlisle's leading the way are among Dallas' best selling points.
"That culture is here in Dallas and it's self-explanatory," Chandler said. "If he's serious about winning, then he'll take on a winning organization and give them a good look."
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
