Tyson Chandler Free Agency 2011: New York Knicks Reportedly Leaders For Center's Services

In a surprise, the New York Knicks have reportedly become the leaders to obtain the services of free-agent center Tyson Chandler.

Chandler, a 29-year-old seven-footer whose defensive presence last season was crucial to the Dallas Mavericks' championship, had reportedly been holding the Golden State Warriors in highest regard. The Warriors are reportedly ready to offer Chandler a four-year, $60-million deal as soon as the free agency period officially begins on Friday.

But the Knicks can offer Chandler a better opportunity to play for a contender. Ken Berger notes that New York could retrieve the necessary cap space by using the amnesty clause to release Chauncey Billups, then parting ways with Ronnie Turiaf. League sources tell Berger the Knicks have jumped to the top of Chandler's list, though the Mavericks and Warriors are still in pursuit. 

Despite his game-changing ability to defend the rim, Chandler does not come without risk. Before a mostly-healthy run in Dallas last season, Chandler had struggled through two consecutive injury-riddled seasons. In February of 2009, a trade that would have sent Chandler to Oklahoma City was blocked when Chandler failed a physical. After examining Chandler's big toe, an Oklahoma City team physician named Dr. Carlan Yates found that there was a high likelihood of reinjury. At the time, Chandler said Yates "doesn't know how long I'll last."

The center averaged 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds in 74 games last year. 

For more Knicks coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Posting and Toasting. 

Kris Humphries Ready To Return To Basketball... And Reality TV

When NBA free agency officially opens on Friday, there will be no shortage of suitors for the services of unrestricted free agent forward Kris Humphries. The soon-to-be ex-husband of reality star Kim Kardashian had a breakout season in 2010-11 averaging10 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

After his ill-fated walk down the aisle with Kardashian -- and unflattering picture painted of him on several reality shows -- Humphries had been on complete media silence. This week that all changed when the power forward spoke with Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports while working out at home in Minnesota.

Above all else, Humphries said he wants people to know the way he goes about his job hasn't changed.

"I approach my job, my life, in the same way that I’ve always done here. I’ve always been putting in the time. That’s my life. That’s what I do," Humphries said.

It seems peculiar, in light of those comments, that he would be so quick to run back to another reality show.  According to TMZ, Humprhries recently recorded an episode of the DIY show "Man Caves" to build the ultimate bachelor pad with the help of former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman and current FOX analyst Tony Siragusa.

Per the report, the original plan was for the room to be where a married guy could have some "man time" and Kardashian was even going to make an appearance. Not surprisingly, plans had to change once things went south with the marriage.

As teams -- including the Nets -- ponder giving Humphries a long-term deal it has to make them scratch their head why he would be so quick to get back in front of the camera post-Kardashian if he's as dedicated to basketball as he claims.

Deron Williams Free Agency Rumors: Williams Says '90 Percent Chance' He Stays With New Jersey Nets

Deron Williams said Thursday there's a 90 percent chance he remains a New Jersey Net, but believes the Nets need to make roster improvements.

New Jersey Nets Rumors: Nene Top Free-Agent Target?

While acquiring Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard to pair with point guard Deron Williams is the dream scenario, the New Jersey Nets have to live in the reality that they can't count on being able to make that happen. The Nets do need a rebounding big man to go along with high-scoring center Brook Lopez, and reports are that Nene might be their primary target.

The Nets, league sources maintain, have been among the most aggressive suitors for Nene.

A power player is the Nets’ focus. They have made their calls to free-agent threes, including Tayshaun Prince, Andrei Kirilenko (whom owner Mikhail Prokhorov in 2007 tried to entice back to Russia from Utah), Grant Hill, Caron Butler (with knee injury reservations, but he is expected to meet with team brass this week, possibly Wednesday) and Boki Nachbar.

The plan is to fill a power spot, then look for a starting three.

Nene is a nine-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 75 games a season ago, and the 29-year-old averages 12.3 points and 6.9 rebounds for his career. Kris Humphries averaged 10 points and 10.4 rebounds for the Nets last season, but is a free agent and his return to the Nets is in question.

Deron Williams Contract Extension With New Jersey Nets Not Happening, According To Report

The New Jersey Nets traded for point guard Deron Williams last season with the hopes of convincing him to sign a contract extension to remain a Net. But according to a Thursday Bergen Record report, Williams has no intentions of doing so.

"The Record just learned Deron Williams WILL NOT Sign an extension with the Nets and will play the year out." Al Iannazzone tweeted.   

The new collective bargaining rules almost guarantee that Williams will opt out of his current deal at the end of this season to become a free agent, reported Iannazzone earlier on Thursday. Iannazzone was told by sources that the Nets expect Williams not to sign an extension.

Opting out would not preclude Williams from returning to the Nets, who still plan to entice him to stay in any way possible. The Nets are so set on impressing Williams that one source told the Record Williams "can pick his teammates" if he so chooses.

For more Nets coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Nets Daily.

Nets Free Agency Rumors: Nene, Tyson Chandler On New Jersey's Shopping List

Yes, there are enough Dwight Howard trade rumors to fill up the all the pixels and pages Nets fans could read in a day. But New Jersey's primary focus during NBA Free Agency is making the Nets an attractive place for point guard Deron Williams to stay put. That means adding a big man, and it doesn't have to be Howard.

Billy King, Nets general manager, has targeted Nene and Tyson Chandler -- two of the top names in SB Nation's 2011 NBA Free Agent List -- according to the New York Post.

Here are the quotes from King:

"We have some holes in our front line right now, so that’s a priority. That’s where I’m focusing right now," King said yesterday, the first day team executives could talk to agents while players can report to team facilities today -- but coaches and team executives can’t watch.

"I want to build a team I think can be successful," said King, who spoke to "quite a few" agents, including the representatives for Dwight Howard, Nene, Williams and Chandler. "We’re not going to sit here and say, ‘We’ll wait to the future.’ Because the future is not promised to anybody."

Of course, there's still Dwight Howard, the 7-foot elephant in the room. Would the Nets sign Chandler or Nene if Howard were on the way? King addressed the swirling rumors on Wednesday, too (via ESPN.com).

"I'll go on record. I haven't talked to them since February of [this year], and that was just checking in on the deadline as you do with everybody," he said. "I have not had any conversations with my good friend [Magic GM] Otis Smith, as everybody speculated I have."

Get the latest news and rumors with SB Nation New York's Nets Free Agency StoryStream and our Nets blog, NetsDaily.

New Jersey Nets Free Agency Rumors: Jamal Crawford? 'Big Baby' Davis?

NBA free agency begins Dec. 9. What will the New Jersey Nets do?