It’s Official: Tyson Chandler Signs with New York Knicks

Added by Stephen Zimkouski on December 9, 2011.

Rumors began to swirl on Thursday stating that the Knicks were clear favorites in signing one of the most coveted free agents Tyson Chandler and that a deal was imminent. However, as we learned with the Chris Paul vetoed trade nothing is ever fully official until the deal is done and signed.

The Knicks will bring in Tyson Chandler on a four year contract with specific yearly salaries still in the works but the total should be somewhere around $56 million.

Now what does this mean for the Knicks. It means that the Knicks are out of the max player free agent hunt of 2012 and have pretty much conceded on the fact of not bringing in CP3. More importantly than that it means that the Knicks will have arguably the best front court in basketball with Chandler added to perennial All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.

In Chandler, the Knicks are getting a championship caliber big man.

We all knew Tyson Chandler was a very good player in this league but last year we learned even more about him. We learned about his leadership and character and how he was able to take a team from a contending level to a championship level with the Dallas Mavericks.

We also saw what a 7’1 athletic center in the middle can do for a team that historically lacked defensive intensity. At the center position the Knicks needed three things size, rebounding and defensive prowess and Chandler brings all three of those things. Chandler will also fit in perfectly offensively with the Knicks as he won’t take shots away from Amare and Carmelo. Chandler has only averaged 5.4FGA per game throughout his career.

I really like the move a lot for the Knicks and with the money saved they can bring in solid role players in the future and hopefully upgrade the starting point guard situation with Chauncey Billups expecting to be waived with the amnesty clause. Ronny Turiaf will also be moved as his $4.3 million dollar salary would need to be cleared off the cap before Tyson Chandler can be signed for his estimated $14 million dollar first year salary.

Tyson will be a defensive clog in the middle and completely change the personality and look of the Knicks team this season. In a Center weak Eastern Conference I wouldn’t rule out a few All-Star appearances for the 29 year old Chandler during his 4 year deal.

The money might be a little high but there aren’t a lot of players like Chandler in the league right now, overall I’d grade this move as a B+ acquisition.