The Oklahoma City Thunder have completed a trade for New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler, an NBA source said Tuesday. The Hornets had been looking to trade Chandler, who has two more years worth $25.4 million left on his contract, for salary-cap relief. The Thunder give up forwards Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith and the draft rights to DeVon Hardin. Source: Yahoo Sports wow! cap dump.
They know they can't compete with the Lakers. Are they trying to position themselves for a big run at a FA in 2010?
What annoys me is that their GM, Jeff Bower, was quoted as saying, "We felt we needed to increase our overall play of the front line and Chris Wilcox is a young, athletic player that can score and fit well in our system. We will be able to take advantage of his athleticism and style of play. Joe provides us with much needed depth and someone who can be an integral part of our rotation". I don't care what way you want to spin it losing Chandler for Wilcox and Smith is a downgrade of the front line. If money weren't involved there is NO WAY this is a trade the Hornets were interested in, so why even pretend its some kind of on-the-court decision, you're only embarrassing yourself. I have no problem with teams making financial decisions, it's a business, the job of the front office is to make profits, smaller market teams don't have the luxury of New York, Chicago, and LA and are often forced to make these trades, but comments like this are unnecessary.
Going from Chandler to Wilcox is a huge downgrade for sure. But even with Wilcox starting at center for them I still see them making the playoffs over Phoenix. Wilcox is a decent big.
I don't think anybody suggested otherwise, I would suggest Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix are the likely contenders for #9 even with this move. Barring injuries or some catastrophic breakdown I would expect to see Nawlins being a 1st round home team, they still have plenty of talent.
Doesn't matter, trade was rescinded... Chandler failed the physical; I don't think any NO fans are upset about getting Tyson back.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...ug=ys-chandlertrade021909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns LOL!!! EPIC FAIL!!! Nobody wants Chandler! Neither for his contract nor for his health...
