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Los Angeles Lakers: Tyson Chandler available to play vs Minnesota Timberwolves

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 6: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers greet each other after the game on February 6, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 6: Tyson Chandler #4 of the Phoenix Suns and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers greet each other after the game on February 6, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers will waste no time getting Tyson Chandler on the court, as he will play tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Los Angeles Lakers added a new face to their roster this week in veteran center, Tyson Chandler. Chandler signed with the Lakers after clearing his waivers, following the buyout he came to an agreement with the Phoenix Suns on.

Phoenix, who is in a full-on rebuild and has a building block in center Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, no longer had a need for Chandler. They agreed to part ways, and the Lakers benefited from that decision.

Los Angeles was reported to be at the front of the line for Chandler and that proved to be true. Quickly after clearing waivers, Chandler agreed to a deal with the Lakers.

Now, the question is, when will we see Chandler on the court with his new team? The answer is right away.

The Lakers announced on their Twitter account that Chandler will be available to play tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This is great news for the Lakers. They will be going up against a tough Minnesota frontcourt that starts Taj Gibson and Karl-Anthony Towns, with Gorgui Deing off the bench.

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In the last meeting between these two teams, the Timberwolves pulled down 20 offensive rebounds. That should not happen this time around with Chandler now in the fold.

Chandler isn’t the same player he was when he was winning Defensive Player of the Year and making All-Defensive teams with the New York Knicks. However, he is an upgrade on what the Lakers have been using, which was essentially nothing.

Luke Walton has been hesitant to give consistent minutes to Ivica Zubac. Instead, they have been using Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James as backup centers. That strategy has not worked out well, either, and they have now lucked into a serviceable veteran in Chandler.

JaVale McGee will remain the starter, as he has played great thus far this season. Chandler will fill in behind him and will probably provide 15-20 minutes per game. The drop off when McGee comes off the court should not be as extreme with Chandler backing him up.

Walton confirmed that Chandler will be out there tonight following shootaround earlier today.

The Lakers are smart to use Chandler right away. They need help on the defensive end on their second unit, and Chandler will provide that. He fills a need, so there is no reason to wait to get him out there.

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