Heading into the final season of a four-year, $52 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, new Los Angeles Lakers center Tyson Chandler was bought out by Phoenix this week. This didn't come out as a surprise to Chandler, but he said the timing certainly was. From Lakers Nation's Matthew Moreno:
“Honestly, I was just shocked that this was able to happen this early in the season,” Chandler said after his first practice with the Lakers.
“I figured this was going to happen this year but I thought it would happen in February or March.
Following the buy-out, Chandler agreed to a deal with the new-look Lakers to help them with their depth inside behind JaVale McGee.
More from Moreno:
“It's such a blessing for it to happen now, because I get an opportunity to come in, get in early, get some momentum, guys get to learn me, I get to learn them.”
With the addition of Chandler, the new Showtime Lakers will now have the presence of a veteran big man they desperately need.
“I honestly can't describe the feeling. My adrenaline gets running just through shootaround, because you see guys and you feel the buzz, and I know what I can bring to the team.”
The South Carolina native and former No. 2 overall pick in the 2001 Draft will make his debut for the Lakers on Wednesday when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles lost their first matchup against the T-Wolves this past Monday, falling by a slim margin of 124-120.
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