PHOENIX SUNS

Suns draft puts Tyson Chandler in interesting spot moving forward

Jun 24, 2016, 10:31 AM | Updated: 11:13 am

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) looks at the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA bas...

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) looks at the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Phoenix. The Bulls won 103-97. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

The Phoenix Suns went back-and-forth between Croatian big man Dragan Bender and Washington freshman Marquese Chriss on who to pick at no. 4 in the NBA Draft. Thanks to help from the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix was able to select both frontcourt players, raising the question of what’s to become of last year’s big offseason free-agent addition, Tyson Chandler.

Chandler averaged 7.2 points per game and grabbed 8.7 rebounds per game last season, his lowest averages since the 2009-10 season with the Charlotte Hornets. Phoenix signed the 15-year veteran to a four-year, $52 million deal hoping to lure LaMarcus Aldridge to the desert. Aldridge signed with San Antonio and now the Suns are stuck with a center who’s past his prime.

While Chandler does possess great leadership traits, The Ringer’s Micah Peters believes the additions of Bender and Chriss should indicate the writing is on the wall.

The Suns took Dragan Bender with the no. 4 pick, and later dealt the rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic and two mid-to-late first-rounders to Sacramento to take stretch-four Marquese Chriss at no. 8.

Chriss will pair nicely in the frontcourt with Alex Len, and Bender could come off of the bench and contribute, but where does that leave Tyson Chandler? He’s injury prone, has 10 years on his next-youngest replacement, and will be paid $12.4 million by the Suns next year to essentially be a life coach.

With the Suns drafting the youngest player in the draft this year, Bender at age 18, and doubling-down for frontcourt help in 19-year-old Chriss, that doesn’t leave much room for 33-year-old Chandler.

If Phoenix is inclined on trying to move Chandler, it might be difficult to find a team that will take on his contract without sweetening the pot somehow.

However, if there is one team that might be open to acquiring Chandler, Peters thinks it’ll be a team he’s already suited up for once before.

It’s all good, though: the chips are falling into place for Chandler to be traded to the Dallas Mavericks for the third (and maybe final?) time.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

10 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

15 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Suns draft puts Tyson Chandler in interesting spot moving forward