PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN Insider: Suns’ Tyson Chandler the 3rd-best newcomer in NBA

Aug 21, 2015, 12:51 PM

Follow @AZSports...

The Phoenix Suns made a valiant whiff in their failure to sign forward LaMarcus Aldridge as a free agent this summer.

They did sign Tyson Chandler in the process of courting Aldridge to the Valley of the Sun, and according to ESPN Insider’s Kevin Pelton, that deal might be considered below the radar.

Pelton, aided by a combination of ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus and wins above replacement player statistics, ranked the Suns’ new center as the third-best newcomer in the NBA.

Here is why Pelton likes Chandler’s potential impact in Phoenix.

Chandler’s age — he’ll turn 33 in October — limits his long-term value compared to other players who changed teams. But barring a recurrence of the health problems that plagued him with the New York Knicks, Chandler should still be a top newcomer next season. After all, he posted the best PER of his career (20.1) in 2014-15 with the Dallas Mavericks.

Chandler predictably ranked behind Aldridge in Pelton’s list of best newcomers. But Aldridge, who joined the San Antonio Spurs instead of the Suns, surprisingly ranked second.

First on the list was former Detroit Piston and new Milwaukee Bucks big man Greg Monroe.

Phoenix Suns

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoeni...

Kellan Olson

Who will win trade-off of Timberwolves’ size vs. Suns’ space?

The Minnesota Timberwolves' size and the Phoenix Suns' spacing will make for a fun stylistic clash in the NBA Playoffs.

27 minutes ago

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant...

Nick Borgia

Team USA’s Grant Hill delivers Olympics jerseys to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant

Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant officially accepted the invitation to compete on USA's 12-man squad for the Paris Olympics.

16 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Is overconfidence the biggest concern with the Suns in their playoff series with the Timberwolves?

Having not lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves all season, Wolf & Luke wonder if the Phoenix Suns might be a little overconfident heading into their first round playoff series with them.

21 hours ago

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Bradley Beal #3...

Kellan Olson

Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic must maintain footing for Suns playoffs series vs. T-Wolves

Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic must step up to help the Phoenix Suns' first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves.

24 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Can Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have a ‘Golden Summer’

Dan Bickley askes if Kevin Durant and Devin Booker can wins a gold medal and an NBA championship in the same summer during his Bickley Blast.

24 hours ago

Victor Wembanyama defends Bradley Beal...

Kevin Zimmerman

James Jones touts Bradley Beal’s balance as Suns’ playoffs begin

Bradley Beal found a groove late in the regular season. James Jones spoke on him settling into his role before the playoffs.

2 days ago

ESPN Insider: Suns’ Tyson Chandler the 3rd-best newcomer in NBA