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Knicks president Donnie Walsh promised yesterday he will not let Wilson Chandler get away this summer. Walsh passed on signing him to a long-term contract extension at Oct. 31’s deadline but claims he will not rue the decision.
Amidst the euphoria of Tuesday’s 128-115 victory over NBA-best San Antonio, Chandler was the shining star, busting the Spurs for a season-high 31 points with his lethal inside-outside game in continuing a superb, breakout season.
The Knicks’ renaissance is not just about Amar’e Stoudemire, who makes his Phoenix homecoming tomorrow when the club opens a four-game West Coast trip.
“Wilson’s a restricted free agent and I’m going to sign him,” Walsh said yesterday. “He’s a helluva player.”
Walsh said he could not come to terms with Chandler in October because he was unsure of the pay scale or salary cap for a new collective bargaining agreement. Walsh’s thoughts in October centered on wanting to re-sign Chandler yet saving room for Carmelo Anthony. Ironically, Chandler is playing like Anthony Lite.
Chris Luchey, Chandler’s agent, said he and Walsh were close to a pact before David Stern made alarming remarks in late October about cap shrinkage.
“We have a great, open working relationship with Donnie,” Luchey told The Post. “We did feel like we were close to having a deal done early on. We thought we were in the same ballpark on what his value was before the commissioner came out with strong statements. That kind of startled Donnie and got him to backpedal.
“So we agreed we can play it out, knowing it could backfire in them having to spend more money if his value goes up,” he said. “His value has definitely risen since Oct. 31. But my belief is Donnie wants to retain him, even if another spectacular free agent — not naming names — comes up.”
The Knicks can snare both if the old CBA has the same rule regarding teams’ ability to exceed the salary cap when re-signing their own player. To do so, the Knicks would have to first sign Anthony, then Chandler.
According to a league source, Chandler might seek a five-year deal worth $60 million.
Chandler is averaging 17.9 points and 6.5 rebounds — similar numbers posted by Joe Johnson before he signed a five-year, $65M deal with Atlanta in 2006.
If the restricted-free agency rule is not altered in the new agreement, Walsh can match any offer and keep Chandler a Knick.
“I’m confident even if it’s not there [ability to match], we’re going to sign him,” Walsh said. “That’s our intention when the time comes.”
Chandler is part of the old regime, selected by Isiah Thomas with the 23rd pick of the 2007 draft, but he has separated himself from Danilo Gallinari as the better player. He came out of DePaul after his freshman year, perhaps too early, but right on time to be the key third piece to Stoudemire and Raymond Felton. Their rout of the Spurs — without the injured Gallinari — was a key indicator that the Knicks could be a playoff force.
“Wilson has played at the top of the league in some games this year and [Tuesday] night was a good example, the way he played against a top team and they couldn’t deal with him,” Walsh said. “He was shooting well from the outside, his uncanny ability to change direction in the air. He’s gotten stronger and become a better defender. His game has jumped a lot.”
The coaching staff is thrilled at a change in Chandler’s shooting mechanics on his jumper. The knock on Chandler — ever since DePaul — was streakiness as an outside shooter. But Chandler no longer holds the ball too high over his head and has become a more fundamentally sound shooter.
“Everything’s improved on Wilson,” Walsh said. “His shooting technique has improved, his choice of shots has improved and the new players on the team have a lot to do with it because he gets better chances. The biggest change is when he gets to the goal in one dribble, he’s such a great athlete and leaves his feet, he’s up over anybody, and that separates him from a lot of players.”
Sounds a little like a certain player from Denver who is on the trading block.
“I’m happy he’s playing with guys like Amar’e and Felton, that can help him,” Walsh said. “As a guy he’s the kind you’d want here, focused on basketball, a good teammate, team-oriented.”
Walsh dismissed Chandler’s summer arrest in Queens after marijuana was found in his car while driving with a friend. Chandler was cleared of wrongdoing as the passenger admitted to owning the stash.
“I don’t think that said anything about Wilson Chandler,” Walsh said. “He’s a squared up guy who tries to do the right things, not looking to do the wrong things. All young guys make certain mistakes. That’s how I regarded it.”