While the James Harden trade receives all the attention, there's another what-if scenario that has haunted the Oklahoma City Thunder over the years that the average fan is clueless about. While not the same tier of player, their impact could've helped them win NBA championships.
In an alternate timeline, Tyson Chandler would've joined the Thunder. A Feb. 2009 trade from the New Orleans Hornets fell apart when OKC doctors determined his toe was too big a risk for re-injury and rescinded an agreed-upon deal.
Chandler was in his prime and one of the better defensive players. He was in DPOY conversations as somebody who averaged 8.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in his career at that point. Joining OKC would've helped them jumpstart their eventual championship window and made the Feb. 2011 trade for Kendrick Perkins unnecessary.
The former Defensive Player of the Year winner discussed how he was almost sent to the Thunder. Chandler reflected on the almost-trade on the "To The Baha" podcast. He said in that alternative timeline, they would've dominated the NBA.
"The doctor there flagged my physical and rescinded the trade. I had to go back to New Orleans to finish the year... That's a different dynasty," Chandler said. "Our games matched better. Not only that but they was my young boys. Russ from LA, James from LA. It's different."
It sounds like Chandler already had a rapport with Russell Westbrook and Harden at that point. Paired with Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka in the frontcourt, it would've been one of the best in the league and immediately put them in the title conversation.
Any long-term concerns about his durability were shut down as he enjoyed a lengthy 19-season career. Chandler eventually helped the Dallas Mavericks capture the 2011 NBA championship. He'd win his sole Defensive Player of the Year award a season later on the New York Knicks .
"If I got there on top of that, our styles match. Athletically, I can keep up with them. I'm actually going to push the pace for them. I honestly think we get two or three championships, two minimum," Chandler said. "Even young Serge was there. You had Serge playing the power forward, I'm playing the five. Two athletically bigs. We would've been a problem."
You have to really grit your teeth if you're the Thunder. Not being confident enough in Chandler's health likely cost them more and better shots at an NBA championship. He would've been a dream pairing with the rest of the roster. Alas, the league is filled with plenty of what-if scenarios.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Tyson Chandler believes Thunder would've won championships with him
