Hornets Give Away Chandler, Thunder Gladly Accept

Well the rumour I posted earlier came to pass, only better. The Thunder didn't even have to give up a draft pick for Tyson Chandler. Instead, they give Joe Smith (expiring contract), Chris Wilcox (expiring contract) and DeVon Hardin's rights (He's in Europe).

That's it. Hardin was a second rounder and isn't with the team. Joe Smith and Weezy weren't going to be in OKC next year anyway.

The only risk for OKC is that Chandler is currently injured and may never regain his form. He's a seven footer and feet don't handle the bulk that well.

However, if he can stay healthy the Thunder have just drastically improved. TC brings a defensive presence to the paint that the Thunder desperately need. It also allows Nick Collison to move back to Power Forward behind Jeff Green. Now you have Nenad Krstic backing up TC. Durant, Green, Westbrook, Chandler et al plus draft picks and the Thunder are scary.

Legit centers are hard to come by. The Thunder just stole one.

I feel bad for New Orleans. Joe Smith and Weezy are fine players and really great people but it's going to be hard for the Hornets to do anything in the playoffs. In fact, their chances of making them just went down.

All the best to Joe and Weezy.