Wilson Chandler has said no to Orlando.
The Nets veteran, citing health concerns, has chosen not to play in the NBA restart, a source confirmed. Commissioner Adam Silver has given players permission not to play for fear of COVID-19 spreading without violating their contracts. However, Chandler will be docked eight regular season games from his salary. The penalty is 1/90 of your pay for each game you lose.
“As difficult as it will be not being with my teammates, my family’s health and well-being have to come first,” Chandler told ESPN. “Thanks to the Nets organization for understanding and supporting me in this decision and I will be observing and supporting our team in Orlando.”
Chandler is the fourth known player to choose not to restart.
The Nets signed Long Island Nets forward Justin Anderson out of the G-League after Chandler’s development, according to ESPN.
Chandler, a former Knicks first-round pick, signed a one-year, $ 2.5 million contract with the Nets’ latest consumer. It made headlines early in the pandemic when he had a meeting with the manager of his New York building about social alienation.
Chandler was reportedly told to stay out of the lobby because four Nets players, including Kevin Durant, tested positive for COVID-19.
“I didn’t even ask if it was okay, one. And two, she didn’t ask me if she had tested me and if it was negative or positive, “Chandler tweeted on March 18.” Fk this man from the building. I’m going home.”
It has been a difficult year for Isiah Thomas’ 2007 draft pick. Chandler served an NBA suspension for almost the first two months of the season after failing a performance-enhancing drug test and his shot was interrupted upon his return. In 35 games, he averaged 5.9 points on 40.4 percent shooting from the field, including 30.6 percent from a 3-point range.
Following Chandler’s signing, Nets President Sean Marks said: “His first-team mindset and high character will be excellent additions to our culture, both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Wilson and his family to Brooklyn. ”
However, the Disney World plan will present many sacrifices for players as part of a rulebook that has over 100 pages of rules. Players must be evaluated daily, they cannot leave the field and there are a large number of social distancing protocols.
The Nets, in seventh place in the East, fly to Florida on July 7 for the official start of training camp and play their first game on the July 31 restart against the Magic. Chandler first told ESPN that he would not play.
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