Things looked quite different in terms of potential when the Phoenix Suns signed Tyson Chandler to a four-year, $52 million contract last summer. Chandler was to participate in a meeting with then free agent LaMarcus Aldridge and help entice the All-Star forward to sign with Phoenix. While that plan didn’t pan out, Chandler’s veteran presence was still valuable and needed, perhaps even more so, with the Suns having such a young group.
Chandler told the Arizona Republic that he’s not necessarily interested in being part of a rebuild in Phoenix:
“For me, especially where I am in my career, I want to win. I want to win now. I’m not in any kind of rebuilding stage. So if that’s the case, it ain’t where I’m supposed to be.”
At 33, Chandler only has so much time left as a productive starting center. Phoenix turned into an utter disaster this season, but don’t underestimate the impact of Eric Bledsoe’s season-ending meniscus injury on this season for the Suns. Everything slowly came apart for this team and Chandler went from recruiting a game-changing free agent to being part of a team that is now using words like rebuild.
Having won a title with Dallas in 2006, Chandler still yearns to be part of an established and competitive atmosphere. The Suns are likely better off breeding their young core, which includes center Alex Len, who is still coming along but steadily improving. The use for Chandler is coming into question, as is his motivation to stick around and help develop as opposed to contending elsewhere.
