Tyson Chandler had been languishing in Phoenix for some time. After signing with the Suns back in the summer of 2015, Chandler never got close to making the playoffs in the desert. Furthermore, the Suns went young and weren't giving Chandler much playing time. With him making a little over $13 million this season, it was only a matter of time before the two sides parted ways.
The Suns finally made a move this weekend, and Chandler is a free agent again after he officially reached a buyout agreement. The veteran is expected to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
With all signs pointing to Chandler joining the Lakers, what can he bring to the team?
The most important thing Chandler will bring with him is dependable size off the bench. The Lakers are a talented team, but they are thin up front at the center position. JaVale McGee has flourished as the starting center for the Lakers this season, averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. He also gives the Lakers a shot-blocking defensive presence when people get beat on the perimeter.
But even with how well McGee has played, he is currently playing too many minutes because the Lakers have inexperienced guys like Johnathan Williams and Ivica Zubac playing behind him. No offense to either of these players, but the Lakers' defense suffers when they are in the lineup.
By adding Tyson Chandler, the Lakers will get a dependable veteran backup center who can block shots and deter people at the rim. Chandler may not be the same player he once was, but the 36-year-old veteran can still play solid minutes as the backup center. Also, adding him will greatly reduce the amount of minutes McGee plays, helping him stay fresh throughout the rest of the season.
Along with veteran depth, Chandler also brings NBA championship experience. This Lakers team has a mixture of veteran players and young guys trying to find themselves, but it does not have too many people who have made it all the way to the championship round and actually won it. That type of experience is a good thing for a team aspiring to make it to the NBA Finals, at least eventually.
So, as the Lakers try to propel themselves into the playoffs this year, the lessons Chandler, LeBron James, JaVale McGee and Rajon Rondo can bestow upon this team could be invaluable to any potential success they may have.
Adding Chandler is an excellent move for the Lakers at this point in the season. The Lakers may have a lot of talent, but this acquisition fills a hole they desperately needed to fill.
And for Chandler, joining the Lakers allows him to leave a situation in Phoenix that seems to be going nowhere right now for one that could land him in the playoffs. It also allows him to come back to his home state and to the city where he played his high school basketball.
This is a win for both the Lakers and Tyson Chandler.
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