It’s official: Tyson Chandler to OKC for Wilcox, Smith and Hardin
“The New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City are closing in on a deal that will send center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder, according to NBA front-office sources. Two sources with knowledge of the trade parameters told ESPN.com that the deal is likely to be completed later Tuesday. Although the entirety of the package New Orleans would receive for Chandler was not immediately known, ESPN.com reported early Monday that the Hornets — who are looking to move Chandler mostly for financial reasons — were in talks with the Thunder on a trade that would net the expiring contracts of forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. The Thunder also possess numerous draft picks to sweeten trade packages, including five first-round picks in the next two drafts.”
Wait. So the front page says, “Sources: Chandler to OKC,” but the actual story backs off and says it is “close to happening.” So what is it? This better not fall through because I just got really excited about it. Stick with DailyThunder.com, we’ll keep you advised.
And here’s what Chad Ford said in his chat:
“Marc Stein is reporting that they’ll send Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox there (both expiring contracts) for Chandler. Great trade for the Thunder in my opinion. They needed a young, athletic big. They are stacked with talent now with Durant, Westbrook, Green and Chandler. If they add a two guard like James Harden in the draft … wow.”
UPDATE: Here’s what Darnell Mayberry just reported:
“The Thunder has acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans in exchange for Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, according to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations. The Thunder will also include the draft rights to Devon Hardin, the 50th overall pick in the 2008 draft.”
So if Darnell is right, OKC trades Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and Devon Hardin for Tyson Chandler? We don’t even have to toss in any draft picks? Sam Presti: trade deadline wizard.
The real Thunder fans will always remember the…
3 and FREAK’N 29!!!!
@AD –not as weird if I am a chick?
@daniel –You could just tell what a great guy Tyson was while he played here with NOLA…
WOW! First we steal a team and now a player for the team! When are we changing our name to the Oklahoma City Horse thieves?
@okiefunk
that would make it less weird… but really… any Elton John reference is weird…lol
Is it stealing when you buy a house the bank foreclosed on CB? NOLA made a business move and we happen to be flush with cash and have bigs to spare!
Sam Presti has a gift for selecting players I love to be on his team. Loved Jeff Green in college, loved Durant, Chandler has long been one of my favorite players in the NBA. I started following the Thunder because of Durant but I’m slowly turning into a legitimate huge thunder fan.
It is ridiculous how well Chandler is going to fit in. From everything I’ve read and heard, he likes playing defense, rebounding and blocking shots and hates the pressure of having to score and having to live up to his high draft pick through scoring. Marcus Camby 2.0. Could that fit in any freaking better with the Thunder? I’m grinning over here just thinking about how this team is going to play together. And Presti did it without losing anything. Wow.
@dork
You ever hear of a guy named James Harden?
He’s quite possibly the next Brandon Roy.
@mcmokken
Having watched both of them (Harden & Roy) play several times in person, I’d say that he’s not likely to be the next Roy. I don’t think he’ll ever be that good, but I think he has about as much potential as Westbrook, and he is a similar player – great at driving to the hoop, great defense, good physical tools, weak jump shooting, so-so decision making / passing. All the problems Re: RW as PG/SG will apply to Harden. We’d be better served by grabbing a true PG in the draft, someone like Darren Collison or Ty Lawson. I guess maybe the problem that way is that there isn’t a PG that should be drafted as high as we will probably pick. Maybe Brandon Jennings but I’m wary of that guy.
Holy dot, yall are acting like a bunch of sissies.
@John
Ricky Rubio is a much better PG prospect than Jennings, imo. As long as we’re outside the top 2 picks, I don’t think anyone would question his value at that point of the draft. He’s actually reasonable even at #2, only if we win the lottery would I be deterred from drafting him.
Pretty much, here are the PGs of interest in this draft for us.
Rubio- He’s a pure point from Spain, who made a bit of a name for himself with his inspired play against Team USA as a 17 year old in the Olympics. Still needs to develop physically, but who doesn’t at 17? He’s the leader in the clubhouse to be the first point off the board.
Jrue Holiday- I’ll be honest, I’ve watched a lot of this kid and I’m not very high on him. He strikes me as a poor man’s Russell Westbrook, whom I ADORED in college. I think he’ll probably take another year of seasoning before he comes out. Not a big fan of college guards who don’t average double digits at the top of the first round.
Jeff Teague- I really like his fit for this team. He’s a winner, just like the core 3 stars on the team. He makes big shots. He’s something of a tweener at the point, but then again, so is Westbrook. I don’t really view the Thunder as ever really being run by a “true point guard” so to speak. Between Teague, Westbrook, Durant and Green, there will always be more than enough ball handling and decision making on the floor. He fits in with the ultra-athletic core of the Thunder very well.
Steph Curry- While I am slightly hesitant about him, the emphasis is on SLIGHTLY. I view him as a nearly perfect fit for the offense. He’s capable of playing the point, as he’s showed this season at Davidson. (Assists doubled from 2.9 to 5.8 this season, a very nice mark from a college guard who LEADS THE COUNTRY in scoring.) However, we also know that he is incredibly comfortable off the ball, and certainly won’t mind sharing ballhandling opportunities with Russell. This is important, because I think Westbrook needs the ball in his hands a bit to be as effective as he can be. Curry’s jumper, as anyone who has ever seen him can attest to is simply……..BUTTER! When Curry, Westbrook, Durant and Green are all on the court, the team will be sporting 4 extremely dangerous threats from 3 point land (as Westbrook’s shot continues to develop). It will be nearly impossible to guard. Yes, Curry will be something of a defensive liability, but he’s actually got very quick hands, and will cause some steals. We should also have lockdown defenders manning the other 4 spots on the court, so I’m not sure just how huge of a problem this would be.
@Matt
Good points (oops, no pun intended), especially on Teague and Curry. I’d be happy with either of those guys. I’m not sure about Rubio, but that’s mostly because he’s young and from all reports a brash leader, and I wonder about the chemistry with our guys. Also, is he actually going to be available this year?
I guess if we’re going all-out run&gun then Curry or Teague would be optimal, but I still think Collison would be good value, especially if he’s still around towards the end of the 1st round. He is a super smart player who can take over at the end of games if necessary and gets to the line, along with playing a little defense.
Hey guys!
Im just a spaniard who weirdly ended in this page.
Just wanted to tell you that, although Ricky Rubio is really great, it is widely known in Spain hes not moving until, at least, 2010.
See you!
Getting Chandler was huge for the Thunder. We already have a great young 3 to build around with Durant, Green, and Westbrook. Now we add TC to mix and the future looks bright. Anybody that thinks Tyson Chandler is overrated doesn’t know basketball. The guy is a straight up difference maker, and he’s a big reason why the Hornets were so good last year. The way I see it, we were just reclaiming a piece of our own property when we brought Tyson back. We bought him for the Hornets in the first place, along with Peja. We deserve alot of credit for that team making tremendous strides…….us and some guy called CP3 of course. Obviously, it’s gonna be a tough adjustment at first for Chandler becuz he was in such a great situation playing with Paul and West, but there’s no way that playing with Durant, Green, and Westbrook won’t put a smile on his face soon enough. He already knows that he’ll have a chance to be a part of something special here too. Besides, he and Chris Paul will be reunited in a couple of years anyway. Welcome home TC….CP3, we’ll see you soon buddy.
Nevermind…..looks like we’re not getting Chandler after all. I knew Bennett and Presti weren’t as good as we thought. They’re just lucky idiots. Seriously……FUCK GOD!