The marijuana arrest of Wilson Chandler Tuesday night in Queens comes as a devastating blow to the Knicks — the kind of publicity the franchise wants to avoid as it awaits the recruitment of the image-conscious LeBron James on July 1.
The Knicks are trying to put their best foot forward. Instead, Chandler embarrassed the franchise. Of the five Knicks under contract for next season, he is one of two who matter the most.
Chandler, with Danilo Gallinari, represents the two young building blocks the Knicks will use to lure King James.
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In his book “Shooting Stars,” James makes several references to an Akron, Ohio, childhood in which he had to constantly avoid falling into the trap of drugs.
“No question, but there’s never a good time for bad publicity,” Chandler’s agent, Chris Luchey, told The Post.
Chandler, under the anti-drug policy, could be forced to take an immediate drug test by the NBA in the next 24 hours through “reasonable cause,” according to an NBA source.
Players are tested four times randomly in a season. Three failed tests result in a five-game suspension.
Said one NBA official, “Any potential offense like this one is reviewed through the program.”
Chandler had a solid but very painful season. In fact, he’s had three surgical procedures since the regular season ended on April 14.
In addition to arthroscopic ankle surgery on April 15 and sports hernia surgery last week, Chandler also had an adjustment on his nose that he broke in January, that the Knicks never revealed, The Post has learned.
“He had three things going on at the same time,” Luchey said. “They’ve prescribed quite a bit of pain medicine, a high level of medication. I have not been informed if marijuana would be one of the sources they’re using.”
Chandler is one of Isiah Thomas’ best moves as he selected him out of DePaul with the 23rd pick in 2007. Chandler is probably the most low-key, soft-spoken, nicest guy in the Knicks’ locker room. He also is an active Twitterer, often posting lyrics to gangsta-rap music. His Twitter account was taken down yesterday.
According to police, a joint and five bags of marijuana were found in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Chandler was driving in Queens Village at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Chandler, who lives in Westchester, was accompanied by a Lamont Yarbrough, who is from his hometown near Detroit. They were arrested on misdemeanor marijuana charges and could face up to three months in jail.
James has had to deal with off-the-court issues in Cleveland. Last September Cavaliers guard Delonte West was arrested on gun charges.
The Knicks shut Chandler down for the season’s final month because of a strained groin. However, Chandler also was battling an undisclosed broken nose and scar tissue he had developed in his ankle from surgery last June, which slowed his summer development.
“Wilson typically will play through pain,” Luchey said.
The Knicks released a statement yesterday, saying, “We have spoken to Wilson regarding [Tuesday] night’s incident and will not be commenting at this time.”
Chandler was at the Knicks’ Westchester facility rehabbing yesterday from his surgeries. He is expected to be 100 percent in six weeks, but the damage has been done.
Team president Donnie Walsh, coach Mike D’Antoni and an army of scouts flew to Chicago yesterday for the predraft camp. Knicks brass believes Chandler would be a perfect fit with James as a fourth-quarter, slashing-shot creator he needs to take the burden off.
“Absolutely,” Luchey said. “I’m not sure what will happen, but a great player of LeBron’s caliber would affect in a positive way because LeBron shares the ball and is unselfish and plays with a high basketball IQ. Wilson would complement a player like that well.”