Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros, Cons Of Pursuing Wilson Chandler
Jan 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Nuggets wing Wilson Chandler has reportedly requested a trade. Should the New York Knicks bring Chandler back to where he started his NBA career?
The New York Knicks are approaching a proverbial crossroads. The organization is currently determining whether it can realistically pursue the playoffs with the current core or if its best shot at a potential championship is to execute a rebuild.
As the Knicks approach the deadline to make that decision in 2016-17, a number of intriguing options have presented themselves.
The Denver Nuggets have become the latest hotbed for trade rumors. A number of key players have either been placed on the open market or decided that a future in Denver isn’t in their best interest.
According to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, the inconsistency of his role has resulted in former Knick and current Nuggets standout Wilson Chandler wanting to be traded.
According to two people with knowledge of Chandler’s situation, the player who came to Denver as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal six years ago wants to be traded. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.
If the Nuggets oblige and attempt to deal Chandler before the deadline, the Knicks could be the ideal destination.
Chandler was a fan favorite in New York before he was unceremoniously traded to the Nuggets in 2011. He was included in the infamous Carmelo Anthony deal that blew up the Knicks’ core and netted a star.
Six years later, the Knicks could stabilize the 2016-17 NBA regular season by bringing Chandler back to New York City.
The question is: should the New York Knicks pull the trigger on a trade of this magnitude?
Jan 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) drives against Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the second half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Pro: Defensive Versatility
Any trade that the New York Knicks make for the short-term will need to be done with defense in mind. The Knicks’ offense certainly isn’t elite, but its defense ranks amongst the worst in the NBA and is the source of its below .500 record.
Though not necessarily an elite defensive player, Wilson Chandler has proven capable of being a high-level defender throughout his NBA career.
Chandler has the gift of a 6’8″ and 225-pound frame, as well as an approximated 6’10” wingspan and plus athleticism. That enables him to defend both wing positions, as well as power forwards who don’t play in the post.
Given the scarce nature of power forwards who do so, Chandler could be the ultimate game-changer for New York due to his positional versatility.
He may not fit with the Denver Nuggets, but Chandler could be plugged into a significant role from Day 1 in New York. He could fill in at small forward or power forward in either a starting or backup role, with Carmelo Anthony either remaining at the 3 or shifting to the 4.
Also one of the best rebounders at his position, Chandler would be a welcome addition to a Knicks team that needs to keep teams off the boards.
Jan 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) controls the ball against Charlotte Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) and Charlotte Hornets power forward Spencer Hawes (00) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Con: The Cost
The reality of making this trade is that the New York Knicks would have to give up at least one player they covet. Dealing a first-round draft pick simply isn’t an option, but that doesn’t mean New York wouldn’t lose value to get value.
If the Knicks are going to make a trade for Wilson Chandler, then the Denver Nuggets would likely ask for Kyle O’Quinn in return.
Denver has a surplus of big men, but it’s common knowledge that the front office is attempting to trade Kenneth Faried and Jusuf Nurkic. Nikola Jokic has emerged as the star of the future and neither Faried nor Nurkic has solidified their place alongside him.
O’Quinn, meanwhile, complements Jokic well as a shot-blocking big men with similar offensive skills: passing, offensive rebounding, and overall tenacity.
New York could include Lance Thomas to sweeten the deal, but Denver may ask for Courtney Lee or Justin Holiday instead. Head coach Michael Malone has a bevy of shooting guards, but would lack a veteran two-way presence to mentor the young guns without Chandler.
The question for Phil Jackson will be: can he afford to give up a promising talent and invaluable locker room presence like O’Quinn, or an omnipresent role player like Holiday?
Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) guards Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Pro: Scoring Instincts
The New York Knicks are well aware of how hot Wilson Chandler can get when he’s confident on offense. Though he’s not an elite scorer, he’s a consistent source of quality, efficient, and versatile offensive production.
Chandler’s defense may be what the Knicks need, but his offensive prowess would alleviate a great deal of pressure from Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose.
Chandler boasts career averages of 13.9 points and 1.3 3-point field goals made in 31.0 minutes per game. He carries a career slash line of .443/.341/.772 that certainly qualifies as acceptable from a supporting player.
Thus far in 2016-17, Chandler is averaging a career-best 15.4 points per game on a slash line of .451/.351/.735—numbers that would be more than welcome in New York.
Chandler is averaging 18.4 points per 36 minutes and has solidified his status as a quality 3-point shooter. He’s also a relentless finisher inside who pursues his own misses, backs down smaller defenders, and isn’t afraid to play through contact on the drive.
An efficient catch-and-shoot specialist from distance who can put the ball on the floor, Chandler would fit perfectly in Jeff Hornacek’s system.
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) defends as forward Wilson Chandler (21) takes a shot against New York Knicks guard Ron Baker (31) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Con: The Role
The appeal is clear in trading for Wilson Chandler, but there are hurdles that must be overcome. For instance, the reason Chandler has reportedly requested a trade from the Denver Nuggets is that he’s been moved from the starting lineup to the second unit.
It stands to reason that Chandler could be open to playing as the sixth man for a contender, but the New York Knicks currently have a lower win percentage than the Nuggets.
New York has more star power than Denver, which could make it easier for Chandler to accept his status as sixth man. He’d be backing up Carmelo Anthony, who’s a far more proven commodity than either Gary Harris or Danilo Gallinari.
That’s quite the assumption, however, and even short-term happiness doesn’t guarantee his remaining content in the long-term.
It’s possible that New York could start Anthony, Chandler, and Kristaps Porzingis together. Moving Kyle O’Quinn could make that possible without hurting Willy Hernangomez or Joakim Noah’s playing time, but Porzingis may not be physically ready to play center on a full-time basis.
It works in theory, but the practicality of the move is somewhat obstructed by the uncertainty of how Jeff Hornacek would manage his rotations.
Dec 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives the ball defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Pro: The Contract
The New York Knicks are approaching a period of free agency that’s expected to break the bank. Starting and backup point guards Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are both going to be free agents, and Justin Holiday will be joining them.
With New York needing to sign a starting point guard, a backup point guard, and a backup wing, adding a player on an affordable contract via trade would make sense.
Wilson Chandler is currently in the second season of a four-year deal worth $46.5 million. He’s making $11,233,146 in 2016-17 and is due to receive $24,817,416 between the 2017-18 and 2018-19 NBA seasons.
An average of roughly $12.4 million per season may seem like a lot, but under the rising salary cap, it’s become pocket change.
The appeal of the contract is that the Knicks will have to essentially match his 2016-17 salary to execute a trade. If it doesn’t give up expiring deals, it could make a lateral move financially that helps the team improve from a basketball perspective.
Cost-efficient players are going to be tough to find via trade over the next two seasons, which makes getting in on Chandler while his contract is team-friendly would make sense.
The question is: does the good outweigh the bad in a trade for Chandler? Hit the comments section and let us know!
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