NBA Rumors: Warriors Interested in Tyson Chandler

The Golden State Warriors‘ primary focus right now seems to be on trying to trade for Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love; however, the team also has its eyes on another big man, the New York Knicks’ Tyson Chandler, according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

"“They still like Tyson Chandler,” Smith said on ESPN 98.7 FM’s “The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show” on Wednesday.“I believe there’s a possibility that the Golden State Warriors would trade those two guys for Tyson Chandler,” Smith said. “I’m not saying it’s definite but I really believe in my heart they would do it. And if there’s a possibility that they would do it, the New York Knicks have got to investigate it.”"

ESPN’s Ian Begley suggests a possible deal could involve the Warriors sending David Lee and Harrison Barnes to the Knicks for Chandler.

While Chandler is still an effective player (he averaged 8.7 points and 9.6 rebounds last season) and Golden State could benefit from another center given current starter Andrew Bogut’s injury history, that hardly seems like an intelligent move for the Warriors.

Although Barnes had a disappointing 2013-14 season (9.5 PPG and 4.0 RPG), he’s still just 22 and a fairly valuable asset. Yes, the Warriors would like to rid itself of Lee’s contract, but Golden State would be giving up too much production (Lee averaged 18.2 PPG and 9.3 RPG in 2013-14) here for a 31-year-old center whose best days are behind him.

This Warriors team is clearly in a win-now mode, but it’s unlikely the acquisition of Chandler in this scenario would make them a greater threat in the Western Conference.