NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler informed the team that he is choosing not to play in Orlando, Florida.
Chandler cited spending more time with his family, particularly his grandmother, who raised him, and his three children, as the main reason for staying out. The league will allow the Nets to add a player to take Chandler’s place.
“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 on Sunday afternoon. “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, who has a one-year contract with the Nets, played in 35 games during the 2019-20 season. He was suspended for the first 25 games of the Brooklyn season after testing positive for a banned substance in August. While he spent most of the season off the bench, Chandler started in the Nets’ last three games before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Brooklyn was 3-0 during that period, including a narrow victory over the Lakers at the Staples Center.
He averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and shot 40.1 percent from the field. Forwards Rodions Kurucs and Taurean Prince will likely absorb some of Chandler’s minutes.
Trevor Ariza of the Portland Trail Blazers, Davis Bertans of the Washington Wizards, Avery Bradley of the Los Angeles Lakers and Willie Cauley-Stein of the Dallas Mavericks have also told their respective teams that they will not play when the season resumes. The teams will begin arriving in Orlando on July 7. The Nets will resume their season against the Magic on July 31.
.
