New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler wants out of the team is waiting until 2015 free agency to become competitive again. Chandler admitted to the New York Post he doesn't want to "waste another season" and left open the possibility of asking for a trade.
The Knicks will be watching the playoffs from home, and Chandler isn't happy. He wants to win now and the idea of waiting until after next season to become contenders doesn't sit well.
"I definitely don't want to waste another season," Chandler said on Tuesday, via The Post. "I don't want to waste this season. I'm not into wasting seasons. Your time is too short in this league and I want to win a championship, another one. I'm not into wasting seasons."
New York's limited cap space marginalizes the impact they can make in this summer's free agency. Although they're unlikely to make a splash in July, their books will be nearly empty the following summer.
With a 2015 draft class that potentially includes Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo, many believe Knicks president Phil Jackson won't sign any long-term contracts next season -- like the Lakers did this year -- and simply wait until summer 2015 to retool the Knicks.
If that's the case, Chandler isn't interested in remaining in New York for another season.
"I'll cross that bridge when it gets to that point," Chandler said. "I hope it's not that situation."
With one year left on his contract, he could ask for a trade if he feels the Knicks roster hasn't improved heading into next season. There reportedly were teams interested in trading for Chandler this season, and there's no reason to believe there wouldn't be a market next season for the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.
For the Knicks, who don't have a first-round draft pick until 2018, dealing Chandler is one way for Jackson to recoup a first-rounder -- be it for the 2014 draft or the next.
