Chandler chose Lakers over Warriors because of Cousins' inevitable return
Veteran center Tyson Chandler had the chance to join the defending back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors following his buyout from the Phoenix Suns back in November.
"The Warriors, honestly, had always been on my mind just because I love the style of basketball that they play," Chandler told The Athletic's Sam Amick. "I love the players there. I love Steph (Curry), KD (Kevin Durant), I love (coach) Steve Kerr. I just love the style of play that they play with, and so I heavily considered that and I asked them if they would like me there, and they said ‘Yeah.’"
Chandler ultimately took his talents to Hollywood to become a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, mainly because consistent playing time wasn't guaranteed on the Warriors with DeMarcus Cousins set to return soon.
"They also were completely honest, and said (how) DeMarcus is coming off injury and we don’t know what that playing time is going to be like once he gets back," Chandler added. "And so for me, it became (a question of), ‘Where would I make the most impact?’ Do I want to go there and — back-to-back champs — just a well-oiled machine, be one of the guys, maybe be that vet on the bench after DeMarcus comes back?"
Cousins still hasn't taken the floor for Golden State this season as he works his way back from a major Achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Chandler has averaged 3.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 0.5 rejections in 19.8 minutes per game as a reserve with the Lakers this season.