By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Tyson Chandler is receiving a buyout from the Phoenix Suns. Chandler’s playing time has diminished after the team drafted Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Once his buyout is complete, he is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. He will sign a one-year deal with the team for the rest of the season.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Lakers were never concerned about their center position. The team signed JaVale McGee in the summertime to a one-year deal.
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Typically, buyouts happen later in the season after the trade deadline. But the Lakers received a veteran presence to be added to their veteran group, much of whom signed sign the team this summer.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that the Suns and Chandler, who was slated to make more than $13 million this season before his contract expired, had agreed to a buyout for some time. However, it wasn’t official until Saturday when Chandler and his representatives found a new home with the Lakers.
The 36-year-old reportedly practiced with the Suns on Saturday morning. However, he did not play a single minute against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Phoenix’s first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov said the reason why Chandler did not play was a “matchup decision.”
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Richaun Holmes — who was acquired in the off-season in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers — will backup Ayton now. Chandler — who was serving as the mentor — averaged 3.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in seven games.
Chandler joins the Lakers center depth chart that has the aforementioned McGee. It also has first-round draft pick Moritz Wagner — who also plays power forward — and Ivan Zubac.
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