The New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder have completed a deal that sends center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources with knowledge of the trade parameters told ESPN.com that the deal was approved by the league office Tuesday afternoon, with the Hornets receiving forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox in exchange for their best interior defender.
The deal has yet to be announced by the teams, but sources say that the Hornets will also receive the draft rights to DeVon Hardin, who was selected No. 50 overall by the Thunder in the 2008 draft.
Last edited by insidehoops : 02-19-2009 at 05:53 PM.
I dont get it. He is perfect with Chris Paul and makes life easier for Paul as well. And wasnt Chandler hailed as one of the best centers just last year? My how things change
They are good for 6th in the west and 10 games over .500. And they have had some injuries so far. Just seems like owner wants to save some cash at the expense of being contenders
I don't know how terrible of a deal it will be for NO.
Wilcox has been a promising young talent for some time and should flourish with CP3. Joe Smith is a consummate professional and can help any team.
NO might receive picks in the deal which will only sweeten the pot. This makes them contenders for the free agency in '09 and could help with drafting young talent.
I don't know how terrible of a deal it will be for NO.
Wilcox has been a promising young talent for some time and should flourish with CP3. Joe Smith is a consummate professional and can help any team.
NO might receive picks in the deal which will only sweeten the pot. This makes them contenders for the free agency in '09 and could help with drafting young talent.
I don't know why anyone would be surprised by this if it happens.
$$$$
Teams are trying to save right now and get below the luxury tax threshold. The economy is crumbling and NBA owners and teams are not immune to it. Not just for this season, but the next two seasons. Teams are trying to put themselves in position to weather the predicted drop in season ticket sales, and merchandise, and stay away from having to pay the dollar for dollar luxury tax.
We could see a few more of these moves here shortly.
The salary cap may also go down next season, and with it the tax threshold. I read a story on TrueHoop about the NBA taking out a $175m loan and 15 teams have requested parts of the money, league said they can use it to cover whatever they need to.
Paul will turn Wilcox into exactly what Chandler was for them on offence. They lose some rebounding and some defense.
The Thunder get an overrated, overpaid, low-basketball IQ athletic freak. Good luck with Westbrook handling him.
It`s too bad the Hornets were forced to do this for financial reasons, Chandler`s usefulness was maximized with Paul as his PG. Not sure if this hurts them as much as people think though.
Hornets Trade Tyson Chandler to Thunder
