Tyson Chandler drops wild truth that nearly killed Mavericks' 2011 championship

Heading into the 2010-11 NBA season, Tyson Chandler was known as a defensive monster, and this was one of the main reasons the Dallas Mavericks traded for Chandler in the summer of 2010. While Chandler was one of the most sought-after defensive-minded centers in the NBA at that time, the Mavericks nearly struck out on what became gold due to the Oklahoma City Thunder and their young core of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant at that time.

After spending three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Chandler revealed in the "To the Baha" podcast that he was almost traded to the Thunder in the middle of his third season with the Hornets. Not only would the Thunder have captured what would have arguably been their cornerstone centerpiece early in the Harden, Westbrook, and Durant saga, but Chandler would have been one of the few veterans on that young squad.

While it is all history, almost 15 years later, knowing now that Chandler became one of the most pivotal pieces for the Mavericks in their run to win the 2011 NBA championship, the Thunder, one of their rivals, could have easily ruined Dallas' hopes of winning their first title.

The Thunder nearly stole Dallas' 2011 title away before it even began

In Dallas' run to the 2011 NBA Finals, Chandler became known as one of the league's best defensive centers. That year and the year after, Chandler received multiple votes to win the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award; however, the Thunder could have easily spoiled one of Dallas' all-time great sports stories.

"The doctor there flagged my physical... I honestly think we get 2-3 championships, 2 minimum... We would've been a problem." Chandler said.

Chandler will forever be known for his ferocious slam dunks and emphatic blocks on the defensive end in a Mavericks uniform, and had he not played just two seasons with the Mavericks, there is reason to believe that he could have had his jersey number retired in the rafters.

Knowing now that Chandler was just a failed physical away from being a member of the Thunder and winning potentially multiple championships should give Mavericks fans more gratitude for what became reality. Not only is Chandler now known as a franchise legend in his two seasons with the team, but today, Chandler still helps the Mavericks out by playing the role of a player development coach.

While Chandler has spent plenty of time mentoring Dereck Lively II, his expertise will be needed more than ever this season as the Mavericks appear to be going all in on size. Not only are the Mavericks potentially starting Cooper Flagg at the two, but the team will be staggering between Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Lively II all game long.

If anyone in Mavericks history knows what it's like to play center on a championship-caliber team, it's Chandler, and his expertise alone could be a recipe for the Mavericks returning to the playoffs. There's zero doubt that the Mavericks have a talented team if they can stay healthy.

With training camp just days away, the Mavericks will have their first glimpse at what Flagg can look like on an NBA floor and also what the Mavericks could potentially have in their starting unit. The Mavericks are betting all their chips on size this season, and knowing this, Chandler could once again step up hugely for the Mavericks, only this time off the bench as a mentor and coach.