The Three-Team Structure Was Built Around Tyson Chandler
The December 2011 transaction was essentially a sign-and-trade pathway for Tyson Chandler to New York, with Washington helping complete the asset routing. The Knicks received Chandler plus the draft rights to Ahmad Nivins and Giorgos Printezis. Dallas received Andy Rautins, a protected 2012 second-round pick from Washington that did not convey, and a large trade exception. Washington received Ronny Turiaf, cash, New York’s 2013 second-round pick and Dallas’ 2012 second-round pick while sending out only the protected pick.
Chandler Immediately Justified New York’s Side
Chandler’s first Knicks season produced the clearest result in the deal. The NBA named him the 2011-12 Defensive Player of the Year, making him the first Knick to win the award. New York’s defense improved with Chandler anchoring the middle, and he remained a central starter through the 54-win 2012-13 season. The rights pieces were secondary; the Knicks acquired the one asset in the transaction that became an immediate high-impact NBA player.
Dallas Gained Flexibility but Lost the Best Basketball Asset
Dallas’ return was built more around financial flexibility than player value. Rautins did not become a Mavericks contributor, and the protected Washington second-rounder did not convey. The trade exception was real value and was used immediately as part of the mechanism that allowed Dallas to acquire Lamar Odom, but the Mavericks still had to send a future first-round pick in that separate deal. That makes it inappropriate to credit the Chandler trade with Odom as if he were a direct return.
Washington Quietly Collected a Useful Package
Washington’s B is supported by the amount of value it collected for participating in the structure. The Wizards added Turiaf, cash and two second-round picks while the protected pick they sent Dallas never conveyed. One of the incoming selections became the No. 46 pick in 2012 and the other became No. 54 in 2013. The package did not approach Chandler’s impact, but Washington turned its role as facilitator into multiple concrete assets without giving up a comparable player.
Final Verdict
Knicks Win — Dallas D+, New York A, Washington B. New York acquired Tyson Chandler and immediately received Defensive Player of the Year production from the centerpiece of the trade. Dallas created financial flexibility, but its direct player and protected-pick return produced little lasting basketball value compared with the championship center it sent away. Washington did well as the third team, collecting Turiaf, cash and two second-round picks. The strongest realized value still belongs to the Knicks because Chandler was both the most important asset on trade day and the best direct NBA outcome afterward.