Dallas Mavericks TV analyst: ‘You’ll love Tyson Chandler’
Jul 2, 2015, 7:56 AM | Updated: 8:01 am
The Phoenix Suns made a big free agent signing Wednesday, both literally and financially.
The team agreed to terms with veteran center Tyson Chandler on a four-year, $52 million contract.
In his 14-year career, the 7-foot-1, 235-pound Chandler has been an All-Star, won an NBA championship and been named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
He comes to Phoenix from Dallas, where he averaged 10.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game for the Mavericks last season.
Derek Harper, Dallas’ television analyst, thinks the Chandler acquisition is a big coup for the Suns.
“I think this puts (the Suns) in position to be really successful right off the bat for a lot of different reasons,” he told Doug and Wolf Thursday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I think number one, Tyson is a guy who has credibility, he’s won a championship. They won it in 2011, of course, and he was a big reason for the Mavericks’ success.
“He’s a fantastic leader, a great locker room guy. I look at Phoenix’s roster and it’s such a young roster. What better person to add than Tyson Chandler from that perspective to help these young guys understand what it takes to be a pro.”
It’s no secret that the Suns were seeking veteran leadership after a 39-43 season where that ingredient was sorely lacking. Chandler provides an instant boost in that department.
Harper believes the Mavericks were a little slow on the draw when it came to retaining Chandler’s services.
“Dallas didn’t move quick enough to keep him in the mix,” he said. “I think what Phoenix has done is going to bode well for you guys moving forward.
“You’ll love Tyson.”
