Los Angeles Lakers center Tyson Chandler admitted he was close to signing with the Golden State Warriors upon being bought out by the Phoenix Suns. The 7-foot-1 center became an automatic target of the Lakers, who faced an early-season skid and needed clear leadership from someone other than LeBron James.
While the longtime veteran joined the Lakers swiftly after his buyout was complete, he noted he was actually leaning to sign with the back-to-back defending champs, but changed his mind through the process.
“Honestly, I was leaning more towards Golden State at the beginning. Just because that’s kind of you know what you’re getting,” Chandler said, according to Kevin Ding of Lakers.com. “I’m also close with a couple of the guys over there. But when I sat back and thought about my legacy, I’m like, ‘What would mean more to me?’ ”
Chandler was drafted out of Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, Southern California — one reason for the 18th year pro to go back to his roots and take a slightly more difficult road to the NBA title.
“Of course I could’ve been a help there; I feel like I could be a help anywhere I go,” said Chandler. “But for me, this was the bigger obstacle, and to me it would mean more to win here. This is where I’m from, and then there was watching Magic [Johnson] while I was younger, and then getting the chance to compete with LeBron [James] and appreciating everything he stands for on and off the court.”
Joining a team with LeBron James in it always gives a proven veteran like Chandler a puncher's chance at a championship, but it is easier to make that decision with one ring already in the bag from his time as a pillar for the Dallas Mavericks.
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