The Denver Nuggets are in an advantageous position when it comes to dealing with restricted free agent Wilson Chandler. Until the summer, Chandler has no options other than Denver. The Nuggets, understandably, are taking their time to reach the best deal possible for their organization. According to HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy, Chandler has issued a deadline for the Nuggets for this Friday. Some notes from Kennedy's report:
- Chandler has been open to signing a one-year deal, which would make him an unrestricted free agent heading into the summer. The Nuggets are seeking a longer commitment. Since Chandler returned past the March 1st deadline to sign an offer sheet with other teams, the Nuggets remain his only option for playing in the NBA this season. Without competing bids, the Nuggets are the only team setting his market value.
- An artifical deadline set by Chandler essentially has two threats to back it up. He can either sit out the remainder of the season and enter restricted free agency this summer, or he can opt to head overseas until the summer.
- All indications point to Chandler wanting to remain in Denver long-term, and the Nuggets wanting him, which generally means a deal will be completed.
- Some credit must be given to the Nuggets organization for properly utilizing, or at least taking advantage of, restricted free agency. Restricted free agency was a holdover from the previous CBA designed to allow teams to keep their players without going over market value. The problem was so few teams properly used it, opting to overpay their own players before someone else theoretically could. Chandler is a great asset to have, for the right price. The Nuggets are doing a great job of holding the line to ensure they sign him for that.