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New York Knicks: Tyson Chandler likes team’s chances in 2019 free agency

By Rob Wolkenbrod

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks in a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 30, 2014 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 30: Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks in a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 30, 2014 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Count Tyson Chandler as someone who thinks the New York Knicks will make a play in next summer’s free-agent period.

With the 2018-19 season already out of the New York Knicks’ hands, there’s an eye on the next offseason. It starts with June’s 2019 NBA Draft, which the Knicks project, as of Dec. 19, to have a top-five selection.

While the draft will hold obvious importance, New York projects to have about $29 million available in cap space, with Allonzo Trier’s two-year deal. For now, it’s not enough to hand someone like Kevin Durant a maximum salary.

However, that does not mean the Knicks will fail to sign a marquee name. Count Los Angeles Lakers center Tyson Chandler, who played in the Big Apple from 2011-14, as someone that believes free agency may prove fruitful for his old squad, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:

"“They have a chance to land a big-time free agent to pair with Porzingis and after that I think it can happen real quick,” Chandler said. “I think you’ve got a good coach with a good personality and demeanor (David Fizdale), and then you’ve got a superstar player in Porzingis who I think a lot of players would love to play with."

Kristaps Porzingis, if healthy, is, of course, a nice selling point for the Knicks to prospective players. He assumed the team’s superstar role in 2017-18, after Carmelo Anthony went to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and topped 22 points per game.

Chandler’s praise for head coach David Fizdale was not the first time an opposing player had something positive to say, either.

Earlier this season, Dwyane Wade told the New York Daily News, “Players around the league want to play for Fiz.” Will that hold true down the road?

It starts with the available cap space. As noted, it’s probably not enough to sign the biggest names. That means orchestrating a trade to send salaries that extend through 2019-20 elsewhere.

Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. will each make eight-figure salaries next season. It puts their trade value in question, especially the former’s since returning from a neck injury.

The Knicks, unless they find a willing team, may need to attach draft or young talent compensation to move Hardaway or Lee off the roster. It’s against what the team wants to do, but if signing Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker is the end game, will the front office do whatever it takes?

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In three seasons with the New York Knicks, Chandler averaged 10.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, contributing to a playoff appearance in two of those campaigns. He won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12.