Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons signing Tyson Chandler would be smart

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make their first roster addition of the regular season with the expected signing of Tyson Chandler.

There was mounting anticipation that the Los Angeles Lakers were slated to make a move to their roster or coaching staff as the team limped out of the starting gate. Roster holes were gaping, the defense has been as terrible as advertised and there is a lot of internal and external expectations for this team to succeed from the get-go.

Well, the Lakers are primed to make their first move of the 2018-19 regular season just three weeks in the campaign. Veteran big man Tyson Chandler will be bought out from the remainder of his contract by the Phoenix Suns, and once he clears waivers, the expectation is he will sign with the Lakers, according to the New York Times‘ Marc Stein.

Chandler has been a minimal contributor for the Suns, appearing in seven games but only averaging 12.7 minutes per game. His averages were 3.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.1 blocks per game, which are all well below his career averages.

Chandler is 36 years old, in his 18th NBA season and clearly past his prime. But the Lakers don’t need prime Tyson Chandler. They need a big man that can fill in for JaVale McGee for 12-18 minutes per game, and Chandler can do that on the court while giving the Lakers another veteran presence in the locker room. Here are three reasons to like this move for the Lakers if it takes place.