Rasheed Wallace is mulling a return to the NBA.If the veteran forward decides to come back and join the New York Knicks, Tyson Chandler said he thinks Wallace would be "a great addition" to the team.
The Knicks brought Wallace in for a workout on Saturday, ESPN.com's Ric Bucher reported.
Chandler was there for the workout. He said the 15-year veteran "looked good."
"I hope he stays. I don't know what the situation is but he's a great communicator on defense and we know he can knock down the open 3 and the jump shot," Chandler said on Wednesday at his photo exhibit "A New York Minute" -- a series of photos by Chandler has taken over the past year. "To have myself and Amare [Stoudemire] and to have Marcus Camby and Rasheed as backups, it's going to be nice."
Wallace retired in 2010 after reaching the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.
It is unclear if Wallace is in playing shape now. (For what it's worth, here is video of Wallace playing in a pro-am league over the past two summers.) A league source said Wallace is a "possible" candidate to join the Knicks.
The Knicks have 13 guaranteed contracts, and in theory can add two more to get to the maximum roster allotment of 15. They have 19 players overall under contract, but six of the 19 are under partial or non-guaranteed deals.
The Knicks have also shown interest in Kenyon Martin, Lou Amundson and Josh Howard, among others. Amundson signed with Minnesota earlier this week. Martin hasn't made a decision. Reports earlier this summer indicated he was holding out for a more lucrative deal than the veteran's minimum, which is all the Knicks can offer.
New York, of course, could decide to stand pat and leave two roster spots open in case a veteran becomes available during the season. Or the Knicks could use the final two spots to carry two players not under fully guaranteed contracts.
If they bring in the 6-foot-11 Wallace, it would likely be to back up Amare Stoudemire and, barring injury, fill in at center. Wallace, widely known for his penchant for technical fouls, is also a strong post defender.
TYSON EXCITED TO SEE STOUDEMIRE, WORK WITH HAKEEM: Chandler has been at the Knicks' facility in Greenburgh along with Stoudemire working with Hakeem Olajuwon to implement post moves into his game. Chandler called Olajuwon "a great teacher."
"Obviously, his moves are great, but not everybody can incorporate their moves into teaching," Chandler said.
Chandler acknowledged that he and Stoudemire may struggle initially to implement the moves into their offensive attacks, but he feels confident they'll eventually be able to execute what Olajuwon has taught them.
"Our team is going to need us to have a post presence and we're going to work hard," he said.
On Stoudemire, Chandler said he can't wait to see him take the floor healthy this season. Stoudemire struggled with a back injury in the 2010-2011 offseason and was out of shape for the early portion of the 2011-12 season. He also suffered through the death of his brother. But he's healthy this season and optimistic about turning things around.
"He started this whole thing," Chandler said of Stoudemire, who signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2010. "The reason why we're here is because of him. The reason why I was willing to be a Knick is because of him. The reason why Melo was willing to be traded here was because of him. So I feel like we all have a little thanks to give to Amare.
"I'm looking for him being healthy and coming out with the championship together."
Chandler's photos were auctioned off at the Manhattan event, which was attended by nearly every Knicks player on the roster. Proceeds benefit the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
The whole organization feels like that, and all some fans can say is, he's untradable, he's injury prone, he's knees, he's defense, he's lost a step..
All this after one bad compacted season..I can't understand the loyalty of some fans....imagine if we signed JOE Johnson and CHRIS BOSH..smh
9/27/2012 10:20 PM
