In February 2009 the New Orleans Hornets decided to break up the most potent pick and roll duo in the league and the spine of their inspired 2008 run to the Western Conference Semi-finals. This decision and it's ramifications would echo around the league for years to come.
The Trade
The trade sent Tyson Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith (two veterans with expiring contracts) and the draft rights to DeVon Hardin. It represented the Hornets' acceptance that their current group was not championship material and a rebuilding process (through free agency) was due.
A forgotten part of this trade is what it meant for the young Thunder (newly relocated from Seattle). Thunder GM, Sam Presti has been given a tremendous amount of credit through the years for his patience and ability to slowly build through the draft. What this trade signified was exactly the opposite; Presti wanted to win NOW. I'm not saying Presti hasn't done a fantastic job, but this trade did him a favour.
The trade was agreed and Presti's praises were being sung. However, a lingering toe injury, which was highlighted by the Hornets' medical staff, turned out to be enough of a consideration for the Thunder to rescind the trade. You can only assume that there was a big chance of the injury recurring (Chandler had surgery on the toe in 2007) and that the risk was too great.
The trade was forgotten. No All-Stars were involved.The memory didn't hang around for long. However, the implications were far greater than anyone would or could have predicted.
The teams affected
New Orleans Hornets- The Hornets eventually traded Chandler for Emeka Okafor in July 2009; a trade which puzzled much of the basketball world. Okafor was a shot blocker but so was Chandler. Chandler had a supernatural understanding with All-Star Chris Paul. The length and size of Okafor's contract meant that the Hornets were no longer players in free agency.
L.A Clippers- Many people say that Chris Paul never recovered from being split up with Chandler. He and Chandler were the best lob combo I had seen since Payton and Kemp (seriously). In a different, yet equally mystical turn of events, Paul's trade to the Lakers was vetoed and The Clippers ended up with Paul to play alongside Blake Griffin and the newly amnestied Chauncey Billups,
OKC Thunder- Sherman Alexie said in the brilliant Sonicsgate documentary that what lead to the eventual downfall of the Sonics was the search for the elusive center. The final, painful few years in Seattle were spent searching without success. With this in mind you can't fault Presti for biting when the catch presented itself. Chandler would have given OKC a much needed presence down low.
L.A Lakers- With Oklahoma City's defensive rock at centre, the Lakers simply would't have had an advantage over the Thunder it that tightly contested 2010 Playoff series. I genuinely believe that, with Chandler, the Thunder would have won that series and the Lakers would not have won the 2010 NBA Championship.
Boston Celtics- You can probably see where I'm going with this. However, before that, it's worth mentioning last season's most significant trade. The trade which sent Jeff Green to Boston in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson simply wouldn't have happened if Tyson Chandler had been traded in 2009. The 2008 Championship starting five of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins would still be intact. As Doc River will tell you, they have never lost a playoff series with that five. Anyway, with the demise of the Lakers, the Celtics' miraculous 2010 playoff run would have culminated in championship number 18.
Dallas Mavericks- Lead by perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks reached the 2006 NBA Finals, only to lose in heartbreaking style 4-2. In 2007 the Mavericks suffered more heartache as they were swept 4-0 by an inspired Golden State Warriors team. A few disappointing playoff runs later, the Mavericks were able to secure an elite defensive Center. Having been somewhat in the wilderness out in Charlotte, Chandler was a revelation as his defensive presence powered Team USA to the 2010 World Championship title. Mavs GM Donnie Nelson took a calculated risk in trading for Chandler; a risk which could not have paid off more. The Mavericks had an established veteran core of Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion and Terry and with the addition of Chandler, gained the leadership and defensive philosophy that championships are made of. The fairytale ending to the legacies of Kidd and Nowitzki's careers could not have been sweeter. Without Chandler, who knows.
So there we have it. A troublesome toe injury, along with a touch of fate, shaped the landscape of the league for the years to follow.
Do they do championship toe rings?
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