Wilson Chandler (2018-19)
Did you know Wilson Chandler was Mr. Basketball in Michigan in 2005? I bet the answer is No on that one. Chandler had a relatively successful 13-year NBA career and is probably most well-known for being involved in the blockbuster trade where Carmelo Anthony was sent from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks.
Chandler’s time in Denver was probably his most effective in the NBA. He started most of the games he was available to play for the Nuggets and consistently averaged 10+ points and 5+ rebounds per game. He was a big-body small forward who could defend multiple positions and he knew his role on the team.
Chandler’s time with the Sixers was short-lived.
In the summer of 2018, the Sixers traded for Chandler, hoping he could be a good frontcourt player alongside Embiid. Yet, after just 36 games in Philadelphia, the Sixers moved on from Chandler at the trade deadline. He started 32 of these games and only averaged 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, respectively, per game. After leaving Philadelphia, Chandler only played 50 more games in the NBA.
His final days were marred by injury and a suspension for PEDs. Like Henderson, Chandler joined the Sixers towards the end of his career. Maybe the Sixers were trying to find veteran players to create a culture for a young Embiid. Whatever the reason, at this point in Chandler’s career, he was not an NBA starter.