Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Tyson Chandler, who is eyeing a return home after agreeing to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns.
Recently, there have been some Los Angeles Lakers rumors involving head coach Luke Walton. There were some reports that the organization was losing patience with the team off to a 3-5 start.
There were expected to be some struggles in the early going, as the Lakers had a bunch of new faces. Patience would be needed, but the suspensions of Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo set the team back.
In addition to the lack of chemistry, another glaring hole for Los Angeles has been their size or lack thereof. JaVale McGee has been outstanding to start the season, but once he leaves the court, the defense falters.
That lack of production in the middle is a reason for the 3-5 start. However, the Lakers look like they will be getting some much-needed help in the form of Los Angeles native, Tyson Chandler.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Chandler is in the process of working out a buyout with the Phoenix Suns to make him a free agent.
The Suns are in the process of buying out veteran center Tyson Chandler to make Chandler a free agent, league sources tell @NYTSports
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 3, 2018
Once he clears waivers, the team Chandler is eyeing in free agency is the Lakers. Both Stein and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Lakers are where Chandler will look to land.
Chandler’s contract is worth $13.6 million, so there is a good chance that he clears waivers and can pick which team he wants to sign with, as Stein noted.
Tyson Chandler is an LA native and the Lakers' need for interior depth and defensive reinforcements is well known. Chandler is earning $13.6 million this season, which suggests he will clear waivers easily and be able to pick his next team
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 3, 2018
Chandler will fill an immediate need on this Lakers team. He was only seeing 12.7 minutes per game with the Suns, but he should see right around 20 with the Lakers.
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Walton will no longer have to tinker with different players at the center position. As long as McGee and Chandler are healthy, they should soak up all the minutes there.
Both players provide a presence in the middle on both ends of the court. McGee has more to offer offensively, but the team shouldn’t lose much, if anything, defensively with Chandler on the court.
In addition to his defensive and rebounding presence on the court, Chandler is a well-respected veteran. He will bring more knowledge and experience to a very inexperienced Lakers roster. In addition, Chandler fits the bill of a battle-tested player that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka sought after this offseason, as he has 75 games of playoff experience under his belt.
With Chandler on the roster, Johnathan Williams will spend more time in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. On a two-way deal, he can only spend 45 days with the NBA team anyway.
Chandler’s signing also gives the Lakers more insurance for the rookie, Moritz Wagner. Wagner has yet to play this season because of a knee injury. With Chandler in the fold, Los Angeles can continue bringing along Wagner at a pace to guarantee he is 100 percent when he returns.