According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Wilson Chandler plans to fly back to the U.S. this next week if all goes well. Apparently, according to sources, Chandler has been given permission to leave if he so chooses after getting his team into the playoffs. It is not clear if the Chinese Basketball Association will grant his early waiver to FIBA even if Chandler flies home next week.
Also, if granted a clearance, this opens up Chandlers options slightly because he is arriving before the March 1st deadline for other NBA teams to extend an offer sheet - opening up the increased possibility of signing for the rest of the season for the Nuggets, then pursuing unrestricted free agency after the year is through.
What do you think Stiffs?
0 recs | 98 comments
Personally I hope we get him
Minus his James impression in the playoffs, I really liked him last year.
TopherYork - February 16, 2012
I would forget about Wilson
And try to go after batum this off season. Is Chandler really going to help us out? I just prefer batum over Chandler. Sorry
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Why? Because he can make shots?
Who needs that nonsense!?
love4nuggets - February 16, 2012
Chandler is a good role player
that’s for sure
Jeffrey Morton - February 16, 2012
Yeah but he doesn't shoot like Batum.
No denying this.
love4nuggets - February 16, 2012
you under rate him
based on his first playoff experience. it is far too early to call him a good role player. he was better than gallo in n.y. last year.
Patrick KB. Nugget - February 17, 2012
yes but he was worse than Gallo once he got to Denver
and he deserves all the crap he gets for that playoff performance. At least Gallo had one good game, and that was his first playoffs as well.
That being said…there’s nothing wrong with being a good role player.
Jeffrey Morton - February 17, 2012
We own his rights, so even if we're not keeping him long term
why not either sign and trade him, or just put forward a qualifying offer (assuming the CBA release in time) and keep him for the season? Also, there’s no way that Portland lets Batum get away.
Russscot - February 16, 2012
One of two things will happen when Chandler gets back
either he signs for the rest of the season. Or the Nuggets wrap him up for a couple of seasons.
I do find it curious he is rushing back before March 1st. The Nugget leverage to keep him long term actually has been hampered a bit by Chandler coming back early (if he is cleared by FIBA)
Jeffrey Morton - February 16, 2012
I agree with this.
If I’m remembering things correctly, if he hasn’t signed by March 1st, we keep his rights next year no matter what.
Russscot - February 16, 2012
Yes, which is why Jeff's post is wrong
Either one or two things happen:
1. He signs long term with Denver
2. He doesn’t sign at all and is a RFA this summer
No way does Denver just sign him for a playoff push this year and let him be free this summer. That would not be a good long term move. You hold onto your assets, you don’t just let em go.
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
according to stein he would be unrestricted
we are having conflicting information here. Also, the March 1st deadline is for other teams to extend an offer. If Chandler get’s clearance and another team overpays (Toronto for example) then the Nuggets leverage goes out the window.
Jeffrey Morton - February 17, 2012
They have already let him get away by not extending him.
Batons agent said that they will look at all other 29 teams befor they go back to Portland. So I would say he’s done in jailblazer land.
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Batums agent
Dam auto correct
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Kinda like Baton's agent ;)
Russscot - February 16, 2012
Ummm...he will be tendered a qualifying offer,
and become a restricted free agent. Unless someone completely blows his salary up, Portland will match
Russscot - February 16, 2012
Plus Masai has a man crush on batum.
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
I would love to get Batum,
but really it’s not happening, unless we can work some sort of trade. Maybe for Chandler? ;)
Russscot - February 16, 2012
Portland might give us Batum
But only if we take Felton with him … Yeah, let’s stick with Chandler
nugz4rollz - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Ohh and does'nt he gave a questionable ankle?
Nuggets don’t do good with ankles.
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Have
Frickin iphone
tknuckle - February 16, 2012 via mobile
you know you can turn auto correct off or just hit the x when auto corrects pops up!
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
We aren't going to get Batum
So, even if he is a better player not really an option for us.
nugzin2040 - February 17, 2012
We have got to sign Chandler
He will help this team somehow! Either through trade or through his nice 18 ft jumper.
Larry Cunningham - February 16, 2012
He's a stiff.
You heard it here first.
georgekarl - February 16, 2012
Really do you guys think Chandler is a stiff for real?
The guy can shoot well. I think he is a solid player, and equivalent to Batum. I hope we can get him to sign a long-term deal.
I also think he will play much better in this year’s playoffs (if we make them). People forget that Gallo and him never played in the playoffs before that OKC series. Same with Felton, but glad Ujiri saw how Felton was a flash in the pan. Not saying Miller is that much better, but I think the real steal of that trade was Jordan Hamilton. He will only develop more and I think he will be great next year.
JR15 - February 16, 2012
He's just ok but Nuggets will pay too much for him.
People think Chandler is going to swoop in and save the season but it’s not going to happen.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
He'll most likely swoop in and
get injured like everyone else.
love4nuggets - February 17, 2012
actually that might not be the case
Wilson’s been playing all year so he should be in good game shape
Zachm219 - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
That's what I'm fearful of....
Paying him too much and handcuffing the team. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s going to be a stiff, but I understand your reservations.
Larry Cunningham - February 17, 2012
Chandler's a good player
Not going to be a star for us, but will fit in with our young core well. Hopefully will get better as well.
We’re basically capped out anyways over the next four off-seasons.. Might as well do what we can to retain Chandler as long as it is a somewhat reasonable contract. Unless you think Rudy or Brewer is a better long-term fit, that is.
nugzin2040 - February 17, 2012
I would take Chandler over Rudy 10/10 times
Hamilton will replace Rudy, and I think Brewer will still be on the team next year.
Wilson will be a good backup and can fill 2-4 when there is any injury.
I also think Stone is going to replace Miller and I don’t mind if Miller leaves next year.
Need a backup to Stone, but I am sure Ujiri can do that.
JR15 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Wilson Chandler "equivalent to Batum?!"
League Pass viewing says otherwise. By a mile. Not that I’m advocating anything silly like trying to go after Batum. Why do people waste time on such nonsense?
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
besides 3p%, Batum's stats this year are pretty meh.
worse than Chandler’s last year. I know Batum’s D is good, but so is Chandler’s.
Rainbow skyline - February 17, 2012
Nice new name. haha
love4nuggets - February 17, 2012
Batum hasn't exactly been successful as a starter
I see them as similar players for the most part. Definitely don’t see their being a Grand Canyon gap between the two talentwise.
nugzin2040 - February 17, 2012
no JR, Felton played
in playoffs with Charlotte. He sucked in those playoffs too.
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
It's all moot until we know more about the FIBA release.
I’m skeptical that he’ll get the early waiver, but we’ll see. Regardless, the Nuggets should pursue Chandler in some fashion, be it a one-year deal or some 3- to 4-year deal that locks him in at $6-7M/ / yr.
neumdaddy - February 17, 2012
Bring him on down here and put him to work.
Kevin L - February 17, 2012
Masai will lock him up long term
he will have two disappointing games, DS will demand he be traded for a taco, he will then be a very solid and needed piece for the Nuggets.
Phil H. - February 17, 2012
And the cycle starts over again.
Kevin L - February 17, 2012
I wont settle for a taco
now 4 tacos for a buck……
Army of Nugs - February 17, 2012
Nah, most likely his first two games will be awesome
Then he will disappear like Nene in the 4Q. But by then Nuggs will have paid a ridiculous 6mil a year for the next 5 years.
Four years from now Nuggs fans will be watching teams like San Antonio rebuild into a new young team with good players while our squad of old stiffs try to keep up with George Karls run run run game.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
That's exactly what I said two days ago.
His Chinese agent began to deal with some leaving stuff yesterday. According to him, the reason why Wilson wanna leave as soon as possible is several teams seems to be interested in him now, and after March 1, he could only sign with Nuggets. But my friend went to watch his final game in regular season, after the game he asked Wilson “are you set for Denver”, the answer is yes.
Wilson also wrote “I’m still here” on his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) yesterday. Obviously, it’s not a clear answer, just like last season Melo said “I’m still here” again and again.
Albafica - February 17, 2012
By the way, Guangsha choose Rodney White as the backup of Wilson, another former Nuggets.
Albafica - February 17, 2012
whoaaaa
Blast from the past! What’s worse is off the top of my head I know that he left the nuggets when he and Skita were traded to Golden State for Najera…so much useless information in this brain of mine
Zachm219 - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Remember that other dude we got back with Najera...I think Flores was his name
I wonder what happened with him.
JR15 - February 17, 2012
I’d be more impressed if he said I’m still here in Mandarin.
Kevin L - February 17, 2012
tonight's nba scores
93-88, 89-80, and 74-71. Thanks again NBA owners.
Rainbow skyline - February 17, 2012
I think
that he cannot become an unrestricted free agent after this season. I am pretty sure that I read something written by cap guru Larry Coon in which he said that W. Chandler and A. Brooks (both of whom are RFA) will not become UFA after this season because they did not sign the qualifying offer for this season or something like that. I hope I am not wrong, but this is what I remember. Also, if he comes back before the 1st of March, there are not too many teams that have cap space to sign him to an offer sheet. Of the good teams, I think only Indiana has the cap space required to sign him to a likeable offer sheet, but there he will play behind Danny Granger.
popex_17 - February 17, 2012
He can sign a qualifying offer up until March 1st
If he doesn’t get his CBA FIBA letter before then, then you’re correct that we would retain his rights for next year.
Russscot - February 17, 2012
December 31st was the deadline this year
Only way he signs a one year offer is if Denver offers him a one year deal. Under no obligation to do that.
Now, other teams are supposedly interested… so him being released early isn’t good news in that regard.
nugzin2040 - February 17, 2012
Hope Nuggets can lock Chanlder up for a while
Seems to me the roster will be closer to all set if we get Chandler fully on board. If the organization can get Karl to manage it with some semblance of coherence, we’ll have a blast watching it develop into a monster machine.
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
it's probably a completely unjust comparison but
I imagine with some more developement Wilson could be like a Robert Horry type guy for a long time.
I’m ok with that.
InboundingLobPass - February 17, 2012 via mobile
whaaaaat??
“I think the soul of our team has been Andre (Miller) and Al (Harrington) as our veteran guys and then Ty (Lawson) and Arron (Afflalo) now,” Karl said. “Nene and (Danilo Gallinari), not playing it’s hard for me to talk about them. If I had to give votes for (team) MVP right now, it would be Ty, Andre and Al, and Arron’s coming on right now.”
MVP – Andre?? Is this guy serious????
popex_17 - February 17, 2012
Gallo is team MVP
his absence only proves it more
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
Yeah
another nonsense quote from George
Jeffrey Morton - February 17, 2012
You know
Most of what George says makes sense, but then he whips out something like this! I just don’t get it. It is like George is not watching the games.
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
it does answer the question, however, of
“Why isnt Gallo in at crunch time all the time?”
And, though I love AAA and have hopes of his turning in a decent season, even putting his name in any comment for team MVP is flat out crazy. Aron would even agree with that.
Interestingly, though Karl conveniently forgets AAA horror start, emphasizing AAA’s recent good play, Karl conversely minimizes Al’s recent poor play, emphasizing his excellent start.
Which is it George, we dont have all day
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
Is this a question for all the people who are 100% sure that george karl is the great coach they think he is?
I guess I’m wondering…if someone things Gallo is the MVP of the Nuggets and they also think George Karl is infallible then how do they rationalize this. If george is the best coach ever why isn’t he putting the MVP in during crunch time?
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
sometimes quotes arent about reality but rather instilling confidence.
InboundingLobPass - February 17, 2012 via mobile
good point ILP
but sometimes quotes should reflect reasonably agreed upon reality
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
just to be clear
Gallo is our best player, our future and our present MVP
Karl; is a pretty good coach with some pretty crazy ideas
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
popex_17, please provide links when you post quotes
Thanks.
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
i hope he does come back and play for you guys
obviously i would want him more for my Knicks, but that doesn’t appear to be an option.
totally unrelated, but there’s a report that old Stiff JR Smith may soon be a Knick. if true, how do you see him fitting with our squad? do you think he will be a disruption, and will his defense knock our rapidly improving D back to the stoneage? or will it not matter when he’s dropping 30 off the bench and dunking on Gary Neal? :)
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
"Knickerbocker Please"
He’s freaky athletic / streaky. Of course Swish will like playing in D’antoni’s system. To be honest there might be some concern of JR screwing with Lin’s confidence; Might work out great for them.
InboundingLobPass - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Screwing with Lin's confidence?
how so? i don’t see that happening with strong willed vets like Ty Chandler and STAT on the squad, but i’m still curious.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
they play diff positions so JR wont take aby
InboundingLobPass - February 17, 2012 via mobile
fail: wont take any minutes away
I just know JR DOES JR sometimes and there could be a ripple effect is all.
InboundingLobPass - February 17, 2012 via mobile
I love JR but...
adding him to a team can be like throwing a garbage truck into a swimming pool.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
With Lin being the hot ticket right now
I’m trying to figure out when JR is going to get playing time..
SDcat09 - February 17, 2012
well i don't think one will take minutes from the other
JR will be playing off the ball, not bringing it up. he’ll steal minutes from Shump/Fields, and Walker/Melo when D’antoni goes with a small lineup. the only one who’ll mess with Lin’s minutes is B.Davis if he ever makes it back.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
instead of Bill Walker and at SG
with Fields sometimes moving to SF
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
Just read at P&T that Knicks tried to trade Walker
and Douglas and Balkman, too. But my point is that when they had to open up salary space, they understood that both JR and Fields can play the 3 behind Melo, so they tried to move Walker.
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
the knicks are the f***ing luckiest team in the NBA
first they make a disastrous trade which improves the Nuggets and depletes the Knicks, then they go into the season with no PG.
But they have Lin fall into their laps, the luckiest fall in the NBA, which no Knick can take credit for and even without their two supposed stars, they start winning.
Now they are about to pick up a piece that though erratic, is downright electrifying.
And they are in a conference that simply doesnt demand much to move into the 3rd seed.
Now thats luck.
Of course Knick personnel will take credit her like the guy who gets fired from 2 jobs, makes ruinous investmenst. goes to the local bodega to buy a lotto ticket and ends up winning the grand cash prize.
sgiustra - February 17, 2012
you're not giving the Knicks scouting dept. enough credit
or the Warriors, in that case. Lin didn’t fall into their laps, the Knicks put in a waiver claim on a player which they had had their eye on since he got picked up by the Warriors. D’antoni said as much.
and it’s not like the kid was looked at as pure d-league fodder, the Warriors new owner loved him as a prospect, but they had to clear cap space to make a run at DeAndre Jordan. but both franchises looked at him as possible backcourt depth, thinking he could be an above average backup guard. now you’re right, we lucked up into finding out that he was more than that, but there was alot of decision making that went into having and keeping him around, including sending him down to the D-league for a few weeks, instead of out right cutting him. And like i said, he was on the waiver wire, and about 16 other teams ahead of us didn’t see any value in him, but our scouting dept. did.
so give us a little credit.
wilddre22 - February 18, 2012
And the only disastrous thing the Knicks did was picking up Stoudamire
Melo was a good move for them and a bad one for Denver.
georgekarl - February 18, 2012
unfortunatley
you’ll get that 30 point game once every week or two. JR is the streakiest and most frustrating player to watch.. You literally love him or hate him on a daily basis. he’ll shoot you in and out of games… personally I would steer clear b/c you already have a guy that can shoot you in and out of games (Melo) he just tends to be a bit more consistent than swish.
NastyNessy71 - February 17, 2012
i um, think it's too late!
hehe, from what i heard on our morning show, he might be in street clothes on our bench tonight and suited up on Sunday.
FWIW, i always had a bad vibe about him. more of a me first, team killer talented player, but not a winner, in the mold of say a JR(Isiah) Rider type. but if he’s on my team, i’ll root for him.
i think he can be good in limited minutes tho. and that’s all he’ll get on this squad, unless injuries set in. he’ll split minutes with Landry, and Shump, and maybe Bill Walker/Melo if Pringles puts a small lineup out there.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
Dont think JR got the fairest shake here
and I am really curious to see how he can play somewhere else and not under Karls scowl. He´s a great talent and with Lin, Smith, Melo, Amare and Chandler the Knicks would be a very tough out in the East. I wish we still had him to be honest.
gonugs - February 17, 2012
I wish JR would/could go to a team with solid coaching.
He could be an awesome player with the right training.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
i think he could be a starting 2 somewhere
he’s playing for a starting gig next year, IMO.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
I think he had solid coaching here but . . .
It won’t show up until he get a coach who lets him play.
JR got better almost ever month he was here until Karl, but Karl kept throwing him under the bus despite CB4 and Melo making poor decisions also on a regular basis.
Frontrange - February 17, 2012
I think it's now a done deal
JR Smith has the talent to be as good as Wade or Kobe, but the mentality to be as good as cheez whiz on a good steak. If he ever gets his mental game together, he’d be scary good. Unfortunately, we Nuggets fans have been saying that for the last 5 years, and beyond a flash here or there, have not seen it. Be prepared for games where he absolutely astounds you and you think, “Now that’s the JR Smith we expected!” followed by games where you would rather have Dolan playing guard.
Russscot - February 17, 2012
haha cheese whiz on a steak!
nice analogy. i agree, we’ll fall in love, in hate, and back in love with him. hell, i saw somewhere that he dropped 60 out in China. his game i guess could be compared to John Starks, in that when he’s hot, he’s en fuego, and when he’s off, he’s polar bear nipples. the difference would obviously be that whether hot or cold, Starks Dee’d the hell out of whoever he was defending. i don’t get that feeling that JR is that committed on that side of the ball, which worries me, because we’ve become surprisingly good on D.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
He sometimes commits to D, but more to flashing through passing lanes
for steals than manning up one on one. Not that he doesn’t have the ability (because he does), but like everything else with JR Smith, it’s a matter of getting him to do the things you know he can do. I wish you guys luck with the signing. BTW, do you know if they gave him a player option for next year?
Russscot - February 17, 2012
no terms available yet according to ESPN
but we did have the option of offering it to him, plus a pro rated mini mid level exception.
thanks, its funny tho, how many players have been intertwined b/t our 2 teams in the past 2 seasons. i’m gonna start calling our collective team the New Denver Knuggetbockers!
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
So...
How about Lin for Andre Miller straight up? Actually, you’d have to include Fields to make the numbers work, I think ;)
Russscot - February 17, 2012
well usually i'd say no
but andre is such a great name….
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
I believe we have been saying the same thing about George Karl
’He’s a great coach. Give him some more time and he will tune this squad into a winning team.’
‘Some nights george is a chess genius and sometimes he is as smart as my pencil eraser.’
George and JR are made for each other. If only their good nights would click at the same time.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
JR Swish
will work out great in D’Antoni’s system – he is a chucker. Although, secretly, a chucker I wish we still had.
NugzJunkie - February 17, 2012
J.R. to the Knicks
He tweeted it.
Ferris_ - February 17, 2012
thanks for the verification Ferris
like i said, i heard he’ll be in the building tonight, but won’t suit up til Sunday.
wilddre22 - February 17, 2012
You won't know about JR until he's on the floor for a few games
New system, new teammates. Seems like he’ll fit in great—IF HE IS ABLE TO ADJUST MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. If not, you’ll see him disrupt what the Knicks have going beyond your worst nightmares. Since I’ll always be rooting for the guy to get it figured out, here’s hoping he excels and makes a strong contribution. Good luck with him!
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
You make a good point...however...
If any team has experience dealing with disruptive players it would be the Knicks. Maybe it won’t be so bad either way.
georgekarl - February 17, 2012
Disruptive players, disruptive coach (Thomas), disruptive owner
Where does it stop? But yeah, D’Antoni is ready for JR. Let’s hope it works out for them.
LongWindedHank - February 17, 2012
let's hope
wilddre22 - February 18, 2012
Chandler is interested in Denver long term only if he cant
sign with another team before March 1st… His interest in staying with denver has been zero…
Either way, I feel that we should look to trade him and not sign to long term deal… If he comes back before March, he is not even interested in denver… if he comes back after March, assuming we have his rights for next year as well, we leverage that to get another player…
Kumar_98 - February 18, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Denver Stiffs to post a comment.