With the NBA Draft happening this Thursday, teams will be attempting to make some last minute deals in hopes to improve their team next season. The Golden State Warriors continue to dominate the headlines with various rumors swirling around and today wasn’t any different. With the Kevin Love trade talks at a halt, the Warriors are reportedly interested in acquiring a defensive big man they once were interested in signing in free agency.
The Warriors have made it clear that David Lee will not be part of the plans moving forward and his departure from Golden State is inevitable. The Warriors are reportedly interesting in shipping Lee to the New York Knicks for center Tyson Chandler, according to Stephen A. Smith, via ESPN New York’s Ian Begley:
The Warriors struggled to deal with the void left by injured big man Andrew Bogut in this year’s playoffs. In light of those struggles, Golden State recognizes a need to acquire a big man this summer, according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
That’s where Chandler comes in.
If the Warriors aren’t able to use Lee in a trade to acquire Kevin Love, they might have to look elsewhere to trade the eight year veteran. Andrew Bogut can’t stay healthy and in his absence the Warriors have a gaping hole in the middle. Chandler’s presence in the middle could give the Warriors some flexibility on defense, but Chandler himself has recently had some injury concerns as well.
The Warriors wanted to sign Chandler in 2011 and offered him a four-year $60 million deal, but he opted to sign with the Knicks instead. This rumor hasn’t gained much steam, which means a deal is highly unlikely. Begley would go on to suggest a trade that would include Harrison Barnes and Lee in exchange for Chandler, but the Warriors will likely hold on to both players and continue seeking a way to acquire Love.