Report: Chandler looking at Raptors, Nuggets
UPDATE: Signed to a contract in China with no NBA opt-out clause.
10. WILSON CHANDLER, SMALL FORWARD
Denver Nuggets
Age on Oct. 26, 2011: 24
What should have been a breakout season for Chandler was marred by inconsistencies, probably because of the constant Carmelo Anthony trade talk. Eventually, he was shipped to Denver where his numbers dipped. While his four-point drop in points per game was expected, his field-goal percentage also plummeted. The Nuggets might not look to bring Chandler back with a healthy Gallinari set to break out in 2011; if they don’t, a contender could look to the former Knick as a complementary piece, or a struggling franchise may look to develop Chandler as an athletic, top-scoring option.
Restricted free agent
2011 stats: 15.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 14.6 PER
More on Chandler
Credit: Getty Images
It is no longer a foregone conclusion that soon-to-be free agent Wilson Chandler will remain with the Denver Nuggets.
Chandler recently returned from a stint in the CBA, where there was no opt out clause. With his team's season done, he is awaiting clearance to sign with an NBA team.
A second option would be to accept the Nuggets' qualifying offer, being that Chandler is a restricted free agent. That would enable Chandler to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, though the pro-rated amount for the qualifying offer would be modest.
Finally, Chandler could opt to sit out the remainder of the season, and re-test the open market, though as a restricted free agent, in the offseason.
Luchey told SI.com that Nuggets general manger Masai Ujiri wants to lock up Chandler long-term, and not to a one-year deal -- which it appears Chandler is looking for -- thus the reason for this process dragging out.
The darkhorse teams in this race could be the Pacers, Kings and Cavs. As ESPN'S Marc Stein tweeted earlier today, all three teams have enough money that they could offer Chandler a deal that the Nuggets may not be able to match.
The route that seems to make the most sense for the former Knick would be signing the qualifying offer with the Nuggets in order to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. While he wouldn't be getting paid much and, as always, would be risking injury, it would allow Chandler to decide his own long-term fate in the offseason.
After March 1, Chandler would be unable to sign with any team but the Nuggets.
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