Suns Add Veteran Center Tyson Chandler

Surprising the NBA world and adding more drama to the beginning of the NBA Free Agency, the Phoenix Suns have filled one of their biggest offseason needs by sining 32-year-old center Tyson Chandler to a 4-year, 52 million dollar contract.

Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) grabs the ball in front of Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) and center Dwight Howard (12) during game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

According to several reports, Chandler is now involved with the Suns closed-door meeting with Portland Trail Blazer’s free agent LaMarcus Aldridge. Chandler gives the suns credibility in the center position that they have not seen in years and more importantly gives them Suns a big advantage in the Aldridge sweepstakes. Currently the Suns meeting with Aldridge is still ongoing.

But, the signing does mean the Suns have used up all of their available salary cap space. Combined with the recent signing of Brandon Knight, this means the Suns would need to get very creative if they hope to land Aldridge. That could involve a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland that included Eric Bledsoe or maybe even the Morris Twins.

Chandler has played for five different NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and most recently with the Dallas Mavericks. He helped Dallas win their only championship in franchise history in 2010-2011 and returned to them after several years with the Knicks. Last season, Chandler average 10.3 ppg and 11.5 rpg and was  a key role in a team that made the playoffs. Also worth noting: Chandler won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and was an All-Star in 2013.

Chandler is a 14-year NBA veteran who will fill one of the most important roles that the Pheonix Suns lacked in their depressing 2014-2015 season: leadership. After the trade of Goran Dragić to the Miami Heat, the Suns had little leadership and that was seen in frequent issues with the Morris twins and conflict between the coaches and players.