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Suns and Tyson Chandler agree to buyout; Chandler waived

The Phoenix Suns and Tyson Chandler have reached an agreement to buy out the veteran center’s contract. Chandler has now been officially waived.

According to the Arizona Republic, “Chandler is in the final year of a four-year deal in which he is guaranteed to make $13.6 million.”

“We want to thank Tyson for his contributions to the Suns over the past three-plus seasons,” said Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones. “With respect for Tyson’s accomplished career, today’s move gives him the chance to pursue a new opportunity while allowing our younger players to continue developing. Tyson is a consummate professional and we wish him all the best.”

“I am grateful for my time in Phoenix and want to thank my teammates, my coaches, the front office and the fans for an amazing experience.” said Chandler. “I wish them the best and I am excited for the next stage in my career.”

More from the Arizona Republic: “ESPN is reporting Chandler plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers with the Suns. The 7-footer is from Compton, Calif.”

Chandler initially signed with the Suns as a free agent on July 9, 2015, and played in four seasons with the club. He averaged 7.2 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 62.8 percent from the field in 166 games during his time in Phoenix. On Jan. 23, 2016, Chandler tied the Suns’ single-game record with 27 rebounds vs. Atlanta, matching Paul Silas’ mark which had stood untouched for over 45 years.

Suns sign Tyson Chandler

The Phoenix Suns yesterday signed Tyson Chandler, one of the league’s premier defensive post players and owner of the second-highest field goal percentage in NBA history, to a multiyear contract.

“Tyson Chandler will be a leader on and off the court,” said President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “His physical stature is matched by his immense presence as an individual of high character who is highly respected by the NBA community. It is an honor to welcome this NBA Champion and All-Star to Phoenix.”

The 7-1, 240-pound center is a 14-year NBA veteran whose extensive resume is highlighted by the 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, a 2013 All-Star appearance, three NBA All-Defensive team selections, 2011-12 All-NBA Third Team recognition, an NBA Championship as a member of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks and a Gold Medal representing Team USA at the 2012 London Olympic Games. With a career field goal percentage of 59.1 percent, Chandler also possesses the second-highest field goal percentage in NBA history among those with at least 2,000 makes, trailing only Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore.

In 75 games with Dallas last season, Chandler averaged a double-double with 10.3 points on 66.6 percent shooting and 11.5 rebounds, in addition to 1.2 blocks. With his third season averaging a double-double while shooting at least 60 percent from the field, Chandler matched the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and joined Gilmore as the only players in league history to accomplish this as least three times in their careers. In four games against the Suns in 2014-15, Chandler excelled with three double-doubles while averaging 14.0 points (61.3 percent from the field, 78.2 percent from the free-throw line) and 16.5 rebounds.

For his career, Chandler holds averages of 8.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 920 games with the Chicago Bulls (2001-06), New Orleans Hornets (2006-09), Charlotte Bobcats (2009-10), Mavericks (2010-11, 2014-15) and New York Knicks (2011-14). He has posted 253 career double-doubles with 405 games scoring in double figures, including 34 with 20-plus points, and 412 games with double-digit rebounds, including 26 with 20-plus boards.

The second overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, Chandler was traded to the Bulls shortly after being selected. A Southern California native, Chandler was drafted out of high school after attending Dominguez in Compton, Calif., the same high school as former Suns Dennis Johnson and Cedric Ceballos.

The Arizona Republic reports the following:

Tyson Chandler comes into Phoenix with his 7-foot-3 wingspan spread wide, ready to wipe out so many of the stains of the Suns’ last season.

Beyond being a much-needed instant and undisputed leader, Chandler is a basketball fit for the jagged holes of the Suns’ on-court puzzle last season.

The Suns had the fifth-worst rebounding percentage team in the NBA. Enter the No. 5 rebounder in the league last season, when he posted the best rebounding percentage of his 14-year career.

The Suns wanted to improve their rim protection, post defense, pick-and-roll coverage and defensive communication. It is the defensive role Chandler was born to play.

Suns to add Tyson Chandler

Now this is big. Literally — because Tyson Chandler is really tall — and figuratively, because Chandler is good and as a defensive-minded center should bump the Suns up just enough to make more noise in the Western conference playoff race. The Suns still face a very uphill battle to qualify for the postseason in an incredibly difficult conference, but Chandler will be a very nice addition.

In this move, Phoenix is getting a nice, key piece. Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting:

The Suns wanted size, defense, rebounding and leadership and went for it in 32-year-old center Tyson Chandler.

The Suns kicked off free agency by setting on a five-year, $70 million contract with guard Brandon Knight, which matches Eric Bledsoe’s deal from September, and added Chandler to fortify their middle as they continued pursued of star free agent LaMarcus Aldridge.

Sources confirmed agreements for Knight and Chandler with ESPN.com reporting that Chandler’s deal will be worth $52 million over four years. The Suns entered free agency with $12 million of cap space but could create more space. They have $16.2 million in cap holds for Brandan Wright and Gerald Green and a $5.5 million trade exception from the Goran Dragic deal.

Chandler is a 14-year veteran who was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12.

The Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, are in serious transition and face a lot of difficult decisions as Dirk Nowitzki’s career starts to wind down.

Knicks center Tyson Chandler out 4-6 weeks with injury

The New York Knicks are off to a rough start this season. They’ve been without J.R. Smith, but even so, there are some issues. And now things get tougher due to a major injury. Here’s New York Newsday:

Tyson Chandler had returned this season stronger and looking to make amends for his poor playoff performance last year. But Chandler won’t be helping the Knicks anytime soon.

The Knicks said Chandler will be sidelined four to six weeks after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula in Tuesday night’s loss to the Bobcats. According to the Knicks, Chandler doesn’t have any ligament or nerve damage and won’t require surgery.

But this is a still a huge loss for the Knicks, who have dropped three straight games after winning their opener. Chandler is one of their most indispensible players, and their defensive anchor in the middle.

In Tuesday night’s 102-97 defeat, the Bobcats met little resistance inside and outrebounded the Knicks 51-33. Chandler played just the first 6:35 of the game.