Watson: Tyson Chandler ‘not going anywhere’ at trade deadline
Jan 21, 2017, 3:47 PM | Updated: Jan 22, 2017, 2:11 pm
Phoenix Suns' Tyson Chandler (4) reacts to a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 14, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
A lot has been said about the possibility of the Phoenix Suns trading away a player prior to the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
From forward P.J. Tucker to guard Brandon Knight to center Tyson Chandler, rumors have circulated surrounding some of the Suns’ pieces.
However, one of those names will be staying in Phoenix, according to Spencer Davies of 16 Wins a Ring.
An adamant Earl Watson to @16WinsARing just now: "Tyson [Chandler]'s not going anywhere." #Suns
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) January 19, 2017
AZCentral’s Doug Haller received more context from Watson on Chandler leading up to Phoenix’s game against the New York Knicks on Saturday.
“I have very little input, but if it was up to me, I love Tyson Chandler,’’ Watson said. “I think our front office loves Tyson Chandler. Tyson wants to be a part of this process. He doesn’t mind the work and building. Where most veteran players want to win now, they don’t want to put in the work (with a young team). Tyson’s all about putting in the work every day. He practices every day. He’s vocal every day. He’s present every day. He’s positive or challenging. He has the same voice every day, and that is invaluable. That’s not analytical.”
The 2011-12 Defensive Player of the Year is currently averaging 8.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game while shooting .669 from the field.
There had previously been rumors linking Chandler to the Portland Trail Blazers, but Watson’s statement seemingly shuts the door on that.
A two-time league leader in offensive rebounds, Chandler is a big reason why the Suns (13-29) currently rank fourth in the league with 12 offensive rebounds per game.
The 34-year-old’s 66.9 shooting percentage is second in the league among players with at least 100 field goal attempts, trailing only the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, who is shooting 69.1 percent. It would also be the highest shooting percentage in Suns’ history if Chandler qualifies with 300 or more attempts by the end of the season, eclipsing Mark West’s .625 clip in the 1989-90 season.
His 12.2 rebounds per game would be the second highest rate of all time for a player with 15 seasons or more in the league. Charles Barkley owns that record with 12.3 boards per game in 1998-99 with the Houston Rockets.
The Suns have shown some improvement of late, going 3-4 over their past seven games. Phoenix closes out its three-game road trip with games in New York and Toronto this weekend, before returning home on Tuesday to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
