JUNE 23rd, 9:07 am: Chandler has officially opted in, according to RealGM’s Transactions log.
JUNE 22nd, 5:11 pm: Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler will opt in for the final year of his contract, Chris Haynes of ESPN tweets. Chandler will make $12.8MM rather than test the free agent market.
Chandler had until Sunday to make a decision on his option. With Gary Harris‘ extension kicking in next season, the Nuggets now have a handful of players making between $12.8MM-$29.7MM.
Chandler started 71 of the 74 games in which he played last season but his role diminished. He averaged just 8.5 shots per game, his lowest total since his rookie year with the Knicks in 2007/08. His 10 PPG were his lowest since 2011/12, when he played just eight games.
That was a stark contrast to the previous season, when Chandler averaged 15.7 PPG – second-most in his career – and a career-high 6.5 RPG.
The 6’9” Chandler could see an even bigger dip in playing time if the team’s draft pick, Michael Porter Jr., is healthy enough to play regularly. Porter slipped to the No. 14 overall spot because of long-term health concerns after he underwent back surgery in his lone college campaign at Missouri.
I don’t understand the Nuggets roster at all. Their entire team is SG’s and PF’s plus Jokic and Plumlee. I understand today’s NBA is positionless but how many of one player type do you really need?
Harris, Murray, and Chandler might seem a bit redundant but I’m not sure chandler has much value and the other two are good talents, even if they overlap. Taking porter there was a no brainer though.
Jokic plays some 4 too!– then Plumlee plays the 5.
About 10 teams thought the brainy choice was to let another team risk Porter. I wonder if Denver pulled that trigger in order to not have to bid for Barton.
Well what this is telling me then is that 10 teams got it wrong… happens you know. Specially as the majority of FO in the league are just a bunch of bozos & clowns. For example Clowngelo, he has won twice executive of the year, that alone shows they all are useless & I do have no doubt MPJ will show it up, but then again if they were right, still is no mistake from Denver, what do you expect from a #14? No risk… extreme reward!!!
I agree. I felt a rebuilding team like the Clippers that had the 12th and 13th should’ve gambled a pic on Porter.
No one doubts MPJ talent. He was probably the most talented player in the draft. But if he can’t play, what good does it do you? If I’m a GM of a team that’s in the lottery, then I’m not willing to risk my job by blowing a top 10 pick.
But what if it works, is a real possibility, he is not that bad health wise, then you risk loosing your job for passing him over, so a positive risk is always better, than a negative one, you trying to win not to not loose.
Good point. I’m surprised he lasted beyond LAC as they had 2 picks and Jerome Robinson was a late riser and they had a solid guard group already. But before that, teams got prospects nearly as good as Porter healthy.
Time will tell, but I cannot see even the slightest risk for Denver is almost a zero risk with a chance for a very high reward. Denver was the bravest team & I do hope he rewards them with an unplayable tandem with Jokic, man they can dominate the league.