The Phoenix Suns season is all but finished and they are now in the middle of NBA trade rumors again.
The team has been the mainstay since last summer when Markieff Morris aired his very scathing trade demand. The Suns front office was commended when they did not execute a panic trade. With just a month before the deadline, the same front office is criticized for holding on too long.
Now that the entire Suns organization is imploding, pundits believe they should make "damage control" moves and try to rebuild the team. Tyson Chandler, signed to a long-term contract, was suggested as by Today's Fastbreak as a primary piece to be moved.
"Trade Morris and center Tyson Chandler for draft picks or young players to build with. Chandler has been a mentor to Alex Len, but at the same time the Suns could be expected to get fair value for him from a contender," TF's Jack Magruder wrote. "For the money spent on Chandler in a cart-before-the-horse move, a lure to free agent LaMarcus Aldridge that'll cost the Suns $52 million over four years."
Chandler is a defensive center who can still benefit some teams. The Charlotte Hornets, who still want to have a last-ditch playoff run, could use him as a much needed defensive anchor, as Yibada suggested.
By sending Al Jefferson's expiring contract to the Suns, the Hornets can get their big defender in the middle. "As the Charlotte Hornets discovered offensive weapons this season in Kemba Walker, Nic Batum and even Jeremy Lamb/Lin, they no longer need a post-ball stopper like Big Al. They would be better off using the slot for defense (which Big Al is not good at)," Yibada's Malcolm Hyde wrote.
For the Suns, relieving themselves of a long contract and a chance to start over at the end of the season is enough incentive. It would probably cost them a draft pick, but Chandler does not really fit with the team in the long-term.
