Howard Beck of the New York Times is reporting that a deal to bring Tyson Chandler - and his $58 million contract - to the New York Knicks will be completed sometime today.
In order for the Knicks to absorb Chandler's contract under the salary cap, they'll utilize the NBA's new amnesty provision that would place guard Chauncey Billups on waivers but still pay him the $14.2 million owed on his contract, as well as work out a trade agreement for Ronny Turiaf, who Beck reports will be dealt in one of five different trade options.
Dallas has expressed little interest in resigning Chandler at market value, according to multiple reports. ESPN Dallas reports that the Mavs are so willing to part with Chandler, whose defense helped drive the franchise to its first ever title in June, to stay flexible in the 2012 free agency period in order to land a major name once the new labor deal is in place and certain superstars can opt out of their existing contracts:
The Mavericks have taken such a firm negotiating stance with Chandler because they fear that matching the offers for the 29-year-old will not only take them out of the race for 2012 free-agent stars Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul, but also prevent them from having the down-the-road financial flexibility to find a younger cornerstone player to team with Dirk Nowitzki as the 33-year-old face of the franchise gets older.
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