Keep or Kick Mavericks Free Agents: Tyson Chandler

The Dallas Mavericks potentially have ten players hitting the market this offseason. And if past seasons have shown us anything, a roster overhaul is not out of the question.

We’ll look at every Mavericks free agent and decide if Dallas should attempt to keep them on the roster or to kick them to the curb.

Last time we looked at Monta Ellis, this time…

Apr 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center

(6) dunks the ball in the first quarter during the game against the Houston Rockets in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Chandler

Season Averages: 10.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 66% FG

The heart and anchor to the 2011 Championship team, Tyson Chandler made his presence and importance felt again after being reacquired last offseason.

Chandler, again, stepped in from day one to energize this team. He finished inside, rebounded, and most importantly, did what others on this team struggled to do: DEFEND.

After wrongfully letting him go, will the team make the same decision again? And with plenty of noise surrounding DeAndre Jordan, the likelihood Chandler remains in Dallas is even more uncertain.

February 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Chandler: Keep or Kick?

Kieran Hairell: Keep ‘Em. Tyson is the equivalent of a 5-Star battle-tested General. He’s a locker room leader with an attitude that the Mavericks need. Call me sentimental, call me stuck in my ways, but I’ll pass on a younger DeAndre Jordan for this proven commodity. And hold the health talk. Mavs trainers are top notch and Tyson takes care of himself.

Plus, are you really going to dissolve the law firm of Chandler & Chandler? Tyson, LaMarcus Aldridge, & Dirk or DeAndre Jordan & Dirk? I think it’s an easy keep.

Charles Hughes: Keep. I am not convinced that DeAndre is a significant improvement over Chandler over the next couple of years, and I’m skeptical about the team’s ability to lure him away from the Clippers. Tyson fits very well with the roster and is one of the more respected locker room presences in the league. While there are some concerns about his age, that also means he would be getting far less than the maximum, freeing up more money to reload the backcourt.

Aaron Clements: Keep ’em. If DeAndre wants to come to Dallas, kick ’em, but for the time being, I’d prefer to see LaMarcus here with Dirk coming off the bench.

I honestly don’t see Jordan as an incredible upgrade over Chandler, and Dirk isn’t going to be able to be a starter forever. Besides, who doesn’t like Tyson Chandler?

Brandon Moore: Keep. The Mavericks need a rim protector, whoever it may be. If they don’t pay Tyson his money and get stuck with another Erick Dampier, Samuel Dalembert, or *Gulp* Brendan Haywood, it will be another lost season for the Mavericks. A rim protector is a necessity for a championship team. Tyson is also a leader on the floor and shoots a decent free throw percentage for a big man. Even though he is turning 33 this season, I’m more about just having a solid player who can protect the rim, whether it be Tyson Chandler or somebody else

Daniel Devine: I’m going to begrudgingly go pass here. My reason is more narrative based than it is reflective of anything About Tyson. I know LaMarcus Aldridge is a nice, shiny, homely name, but I really want DeAndre Jordan to Dallas to happen.

A monstrous athlete like DeAndre at C next to a core of Dirk and a youthful core of Parsons, previously mentioned, yet unknown wing, PG either through draft or trade/FA is a nice roadmap to Dallas staying in contention and on the rise while the light is at the end of the tunnel of Dirk Nowitzki‘s HOF career.

Jay Knodell: I’m torn. Chandler knows this will be his last big payday and he’ll surely want to take advantage of his stock following a tremendous, relatively injury-free 2014-15 season. And though he remained in fine fettle this year, Chandler will be 33-years old in October and played more than 35 minutes only seven times in his 75 games. What type of contract does a center entering his 15th NBA season who won’t average more than 30 minutes a night receive?

I understand that the minutes thing is mostly an effort to reduce risk on injury and keep him fresh for the postseason, but that’s kind of my point. If he’s offered any more than $11-12 million a year for any more than three from anyone else, and he very well could be, the Mavericks will have a tough choice to make.

On the other hand, Chandler fits perfectly into the Mavericks’ quest to get another shot at the title before Dirk hangs ’em up, and is the backbone of the roster as the unquestioned vocal and emotional leader. That shouldn’t be marginalized.

I’m going to cheat. If he’ll come back for fewer than four years and for less than $12 million a season the Mavericks have to keep him. If the asking price heads north of that the Mavericks may be better suited by looking elsewhere. Call me crazy, but I’m high on Robin Lopez. He’d offer a lot of the same stuff Chandler does, and coming at a much cheaper price than Tyson or DeAndre Jordan would give Dallas some flexibility in filling out the rest of the roster.

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