2009-02-17T17:19:23-05:00 Report: Hornets deal Chandler to Thunder 2009-02-17T13:51:58-05:00 38 2009-02-17T13:51:58-05:00 1 4 10 2009-02-17T16:12:40-05:00 4 OK RhinoOU Norman 692626 37 Collison hates in OKC, a fact that he's made known even before his arrival. Don't worry, he's gone in the next couple days or in the offseason. And most of OKC players like getting fan support - who knew? If only the city of Seattle, Washington politicians and the former Sonics owners cared enough to keep them. Maybe you can get a D-League team to play in your old arena. 4373522 2009-02-17T17:19:22-05:00 145 XX MJBAZ No City 31353 Collison hates in OKC, a fact that he's made known even before his arrival. Don't worry, he's gone in the next couple days or in the offseason. And most of OKC players like getting fan support - who knew?If only the city of Seattle, Washington politicians and the former Sonics owners cared enough to keep them. Maybe you can get a D-League team to play in your old arena. 38 I think it was pretty obvious the owner of the Sonics committed nothing short of legal and political assassination to move that team. Seattle got screwed, but they invited it in the front door. Such is life. Reminds me of a stimulus package I read about once... 4374703 2009-02-17T16:12:40-05:00 4 OK RhinoOU Norman 692626 37 Collison hates in OKC, a fact that he's made known even before his arrival. Don't worry, he's gone in the next couple days or in the offseason. And most of OKC players like getting fan support - who knew? If only the city of Seattle, Washington politicians and the former Sonics owners cared enough to keep them. Maybe you can get a D-League team to play in your old arena. 4373522 2009-02-17T15:48:10-05:00 4 WA MdawgHawk Seattle 704004 31 Hey props, how can you root for a basketball team that doesn't even rightfully belong to you or your city? The players HATE playing there. I saw Nick Collison at a bar in Seattle over all star weekend. They say OKC is a dump of a town. Bummer. SEATown. 4372955 2009-02-17T16:11:51-05:00 4 OK RhinoOU Norman 692626 Hey props, how can you root for a basketball team that doesn't even rightfully belong to you or your city? The players HATE playing there. I saw Nick Collison at a bar in Seattle over all star weekend. They say OKC is a dump of a town. Bummer. SEATown. 36 Collison hating OKC is a fact he's made known even before his arrival. Don't worry, he's gone in the next couple days or in the off-season. And Thunder players actually like getting fan support - who knew? If only the city of Seattle, Washington politicians and the former Sonics owners cared enough to keep them. Maybe you can get a D-League team to play in your old arena. 4373462 2009-02-17T16:04:40-05:00 8 MI Piston Ann Arbor 38608 35 I'm actually surprised that people think its a bad trade for NOH. Both C Wilcox and J Smith can score, set good screens, run the floor and play team defense. This will definitely free up the shooters and CP3 to penetrate. Its not like Chandler could shut down a Tim Duncan or a Gasol. Only time will tell but on paper, I think it was a win-win situation for NOH. 4373400 2009-02-17T15:53:49-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/000/thumb/chicago_bulls.gif 1016 JI Fatty Acid 540 534440 32 so where does the Hornets go from here? They give up their only legit C in a conference full of bigs for 2 PF's. Smith is solid, and Wilcox has always been under appreciated, but neither can guard an opposing Center. If this is just about slicing salary, why are they still paying Peja 12.5 mill? He is only scoring 14 per.... This is a good move for the Thunder, no doubt. 4373135 2009-02-17T16:00:49-05:00 145 XX MJBAZ No City 31353 so where does the Hornets go from here? They give up their only legit C in a conference full of bigs for 2 PF's. Smith is solid, and Wilcox has always been under appreciated, but neither can guard an opposing Center. If this is just about slicing salary, why are they still paying Peja 12.5 mill? He is only scoring 14 per....This is a good move for the Thunder, no doubt. 34 I think they like Peja's spacing ability even though his shooting is down this year. He was pretty crucial in the playoffs last year. I would not be surprised to see them move him either though if they can find a buyer. They could still use a center, but I think they are banking on the two new bigs they got being more durable and fouling more often. 4373286 2009-02-17T15:57:43-05:00 414 XX Lordgohan No City 457240 33 This is an even trade for both teams. OKL gains a young defensive minded big to pair with Kristic and Nicholson. They also get a more than a decent compensation for 2 players that would not be re-signed and leave without any compensation. And while they will be good in some years ahead, they are not now and that, along with not the greatest cap space, it is not a good incentive for a premier FA. While NO would certanly miss Chandlers blocked shots and offensive rebounds, the combo of Smith and Wilcox would give them stability on both ends of the floor and more important: CAP relief. So, dont cheat on yourselves, NO is still missing cap space to do any significant FA adcquisition. Unless they get rid of Pejas contract, they have their hands tied. 4373204 2009-02-17T15:53:49-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/534/000/thumb/chicago_bulls.gif 1016 JI Fatty Acid 540 534440 32 so where does the Hornets go from here? They give up their only legit C in a conference full of bigs for 2 PF's. Smith is solid, and Wilcox has always been under appreciated, but neither can guard an opposing Center. If this is just about slicing salary, why are they still paying Peja 12.5 mill? He is only scoring 14 per.... This is a good move for the Thunder, no doubt. 4373135 2009-02-17T15:48:10-05:00 4 WA MdawgHawk Seattle 704004 31 Hey props, how can you root for a basketball team that doesn't even rightfully belong to you or your city? The players HATE playing there. I saw Nick Collison at a bar in Seattle over all star weekend. They say OKC is a dump of a town. Bummer. SEATown. 4372955 2009-02-17T15:45:40-05:00 4 WA MdawgHawk Seattle 704004 30 Screw the thunder. Screw ****. 4372888 2009-02-17T15:45:06-05:00 4 WA MdawgHawk Seattle 704004 29 Screw the thunder.Screw ****. 4372897 38 <div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009_images/chandler.tracker.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" width="150" height="200" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">Tyson Chandler, Getty Images</div> </div> <p><strong>Tyson Chandler</strong>&nbsp;will no longer&nbsp;be on&nbsp;the receiving end of <strong>Chris Paul</strong>'s alley-oop passes. From <em><a href="http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/02/17/breaking-news-thunder-acquire-tyson-chandler/" target="_blank">The Oklahoman</a></em>:</p> <blockquote> <p>The Thunder has acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans in exchange for <strong>Chris Wilcox</strong> and <strong>Joe Smith</strong>, according to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations.</p> <p>The Thunder will also include the draft rights to <strong>Devon Hardin</strong>, the 50th overall pick in the 2008 draft.</p> <p>Chandler, 26, is one of the league's best young defensive-oriented centers but has been hampered by chronic foot injuries this season. Chandler is averaging 8.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 32 games this year but averaged 11.8 points and 11.7 rebounds in 79 games last year.</p> <p>The 7-foot-1 center became too expensive for the Hornets, who are in cost-cutting mode and face at $76 million payroll next season. Chandler has two years remaining on his contract after this season worth $24.6 million. He can opt out of the final year of his deal before the start of the 2010-11 season.</p> <p>Wilcox and Smith both have expiring contracts, which will help New Orleans clear room on its salary cap next season.</p> </blockquote> <p>&bull; Thunder acquire Tyson Chandler (<em><a href="http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/02/17/breaking-news-thunder-acquire-tyson-chandler/" target="_blank">The Oklahoman</a></em>)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> 51001 0 NY Brad Weinstein New York 4215