Knicks: Why the team should target free agent Tyson Chandler
By Allen Settle
The Mentorship
In addition to a potential role as a leader on the overall roster, signing Chandler could also pay dividends for the Knicks current centers. Mitchell Robinson, who may very well be the team’s best player and future star, has a similar body type and style of play. Both are more traditional big men who have made their career due to their ability to anchor a defense and protect the paint. Both are also reputation shot blockers and rim runners.
As Robinson continues to strive toward earning consistent playing time, Chandler’s teaching could help the budding star make the leap fans have been craving for over the past few seasons.
The Knicks also signed former 6th overall pick Nerlens Noel to a one-year contract during the offseason. This means the center position has become the deepest on an otherwise barren depth chart.
Noel is another player known mostly for his length and potential defensive impact. He, like both Robinson and Chandler, is certainly not the type of player to stretch the court by shooting three-point shots. He is a bit of a modern NBA dinosaur who plays solid defense, crashes the boards, and records an occasional highlight dunk.
Noel’s career arc has also followed a similar path as Chandler’s. Both were top draft picks with high expectations. Both also struggled considerably out of the gate. Chandler’s unique perspective on how to right a slow start could be invaluable for the six-year pro.
With any luck, Noel could develop further and become a potential trade chip or a longer-term part of the Knicks’ future.
Conclusion
A reunion between Chandler and the Knicks feels like an obvious fit. The only thing that could inhibit a signing would be the center’s willingness to play on what is expected to be a bad Knicks team. There is also a question as to whether the veteran would be willing to continue to NBA grind with retirement seemingly right around the corner.
Regardless, the Knicks should reach out to Chandler about a potential role in 2021. In the best-case scenario, he could be a Haslem-typed leader on the active roster. There could also be a possibility the two parties could discuss a future role as a coach of off-court leadership role.
Next. Examining the guard rotation. dark