Four months after his trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder was rescinded, trade talks for center Tyson Chandler of the Hornets apparently have resumed.
According to multiple league sources, the Hornets were involved in trade talks this week with the Cleveland Cavaliers regarding Chandler, but no agreement was reached. Instead, the Cavaliers reached an agreement with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night to obtain center Shaquille O'Neal. On Thursday morning, Hornets officials declined to say if they had been in trade discussions with Cleveland, or with the Suns to obtain O'Neal.
"I'm not going to comment on rumors or on our conversations with other teams," Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said. "But I expect more rumors and more things to be out through this period until the end of July," Bower said.
Chandler was traded in February to Oklahoma City, but after he failed a physical examination because of a previous toe injury that required surgery in 2006, the deal was rescinded.
Last month, Chandler had surgery on his left ankle and left toe to relieve inflammation.
The Hornets' projected payroll for this season is $76 million, and a deal involving Chandler could keep the team from having to pay a luxury-tax penalty in 2010. Chandler is owed $11.8 million this season, and if he does not opt of his contract for the 2010-11 season, he will earn $12.7 million. Chandler could not be reached for comment.
There is also speculation the Phoenix Suns could be interested in a trade involving Chandler as they rebuild without O'Neal. After the Hornets were eliminated by the Denver in five games, Chandler said he would not surprised if the Hornets tried to trade him in the offseason because of financial reasons.
