Wilson Chandler intends to sign with Nuggets
Restricted free-agent forward Wilson Chandler plans to re-sign with the Denver Nuggets once he finishes playing in China, his agent told Yahoo! Sports.
Chandler signed with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and is committed to stay with the team until China's season is over. Chandler is drawing “significant interest” from other NBA teams, Chandler's agent, Chris Luchey said, but he wants to re-sign with the Nuggets for either the rest or the season or a longer-term deal.
Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri acknowledged the team's interest in re-signing Chandler. The Nuggets have the right to match any offer Chandler receives from another NBA team.
“Wilson likes their direction and the stabilization of their roster in Denver with the young talent,” Luchey said in a phone interview from China. “He wants to see how they develop as a team. It’s a unique situation. The ball is in their court. If Wilson is comfortable, he will be a part of their core group."
Ujiri plans on visiting Chandler in China during Zhejiang Guangsha’s regular-season finale on Feb. 15 or in the postseason. Zhejiang Guangsha is expected to make the playoffs. Chandler is free to sign with the Nuggets once the team’s season ends.
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Chandler averaged 12.5 points and five rebounds in 21 games with the Nuggets last season after being dealt from the New York Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade. Luchey said Chandler, who made $2.1 million last season, has been communicating with his old Nuggets teammates regularly from China.
The Nuggets recently lost their leading scorer, forward Danilo Gallinari, for about a month after he severely sprained his left ankle.
“Our goal is to re-sign Wilson Chandler," Ujiri said. "We like everything about him. Wilson was one of the key players we got in the trade with New York and he’s a phenomenal player, shooter and defender.”
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