DALLAS — If the New Jersey Nets can find a way to
land Dwight Howard before the March 15 trade deadline, the Mavericks could be
looking foolish for not bringing back Tyson Chandler.
Howard in a Nets jersey would likely mean that he and point guard Deron
Williams would sign long-term deals with New Jersey, leaving the Mavs with
plenty of cap space and no superstars to sign this summer.
Owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson chose not to give Chandler a
new deal last summer despite his significant contributions to helping the
franchise win its first world championship. With Dallas showing it was
committed to the 2012 free-agency market, Chandler was left to find work in New
York.
"When we went into free agency, we always said we would like to get
somebody like Tyson Chandler," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said before
Tuesday's shootaround at American Airlines Center. "We didn't know we
could get him. I didn't think he would be available. Nobody did. But he's been
a godsend.
"New York got really lucky to have somebody in their franchise that classy
and that good and that young, so it should last a long time."
Chandler, 29, gave the Mavs an outstanding defensive presence in the paint last
season, something the franchise was missing during playoff runs of the past.
The 7-1, 240-pounder averaged nearly a double-double during the regular season
before averaging 8.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks during the postseason.
So was D'Antoni shocked that an NBA champions wouldn't bring back its starting
center to make another run?
"I didn't know their financial (situation), what they were thinking about
the future and how they structure the cap," he said. "It's hard for
me to say. I don't think (Cuban) did it because (Chandler) didn't give him
anything. I think it was other reasons, not a basketball reason. Maybe future
plans, a future way to go get guys."
League-wide speculation is that Cuban and Co. did make the decision to go get
guys — guys named Howard and Williams.
A nice gamble, possibly pairing two superstars next to the franchise's greatest
player, Dirk Nowitzki. But if at least one of them doesn't sign with the
Mavericks this summer, the franchise not only gave up a very good center but
maybe the best in the game, according to D'Antoni.
"I think (Chandler is) a great center," the Knicks coach said.
"I think he's as good as any center in the league. And what he brings to
the team, whether somebody gives you more here or somebody gives you more
there, his overall play and his intangibles in the locker room, there is nobody
better in the game.
"At 29, he's just coming into it. I think he can get a lot better offensively.
He's working to expand his game. But he makes foul shots. He can run the pick
and roll. He can post up more than what you think. I just don't know how you
can get better than him as a center."
Chandler is averaging 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks through 37 games
with the Knicks.
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Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
