JULY 18: The deal between Chandler and Houston is now official, per a release from the team.
JULY 12: The Rockets and veteran center Tyson Chandler have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, agent Jeff Schwartz tells Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Specific financial terms on the deal aren’t yet known. Houston is using part of its mid-level exception to bring back Danuel House, but could offer some of it to Chandler as well. A minimum-salary arrangement is also a possibility — because he has 10 years of NBA experience, Chandler would earn $2,564,753 on a minimum deal.
Chandler, who agreed to a buyout with the Suns early in the 2018/19 season, signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Lakers and helped shore up the team’s front line, averaging 3.1 PPG and 5.6 RPG in 48 games (16.4 MPG) for Los Angeles. He indicated at season’s end that he planned on playing just one more year in the NBA, though he took some extra time this offseason to consider whether to return, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Houston’s interest in Chandler, which was previously reported, stems in part from head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s familiarity with the big man. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link), D’Antoni strongly advocated bringing Chandler to Houston. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter) that the Rockets had recruited the 18-year veteran for weeks, noting that the acquisition of Russell Westbrook may have played a part in Chandler’s commitment.
Although Clint Capela‘s name was mentioned frequently in trade rumors this summer, the Rockets view Chandler as a replacement for Nene rather than Capela. The 36-year-old will slot in as Capela’s backup at the five.
According to MacMahon, the Rockets believe Chandler still has enough left in the tank to be a lob threat on offense and to provide the team’s second unit with reliable defense and rebounding.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
You can’t have enough guys who are great in the locker room.
And he’s only 57 years old too
Lol
I love it when they say chandler provides defense. When in reality he hasn’t played defense since that championship run in Dallas.
He hasnt played much defense since NBA Jam 98
I’m weak lol
LMAO @ JKOM
I mean it is at least 4 years to late BUT I think in many ways an upgrade over Hilario.
You obviously know more about these things than those paid to do so. See you tomorrow at Home Depot.
He won DPOY in 2011-12. As a Knick.
projections for this season say otherwise
An upgrade of Nene and a good locker room guy. Rockets need to add some good role players for off the bench and they will be awesome. Hopefully that make a play at Iggy. Think they also should throw some minimum deals to Trey Burke, Jonas Jerebko, Jonathan Simmons and Vince Carter.
they should also throw some minimums deals around…because it is literally all that they can for the next 4 years…
Your talking like they are the only team in this situation. About 80% of all NBA teams have like less than 5 mill cap space. With Russ and Harden with Capela Tucker Gordan they only need a few other players to play a small role most nights to be really successful. They only really have House Jr, Rivers and Green and now Chandler who will contribute off the bench. Iggy would be really good for them and I think Jerebko would be good too. Not only would be come from one of their biggest competitors but he would also fill a big of a while in terms of PFs on the Rockets with height and a consistent floor spacing 3 point shot. Tucker is good at spacing from the 4 but isn’t as tall as Jerebko and he mainly only hits 3s in the corners. Jerebko could be good backing Tucker up while getting a better taller spacer but not as good on D
Chase that ring old man!