N.Y. Knicks land Tyson Chandler

GREENBURGH, New York (AP) ― The anchor of the Dallas Mavericks’ defense now centers one of the league’s best frontcourts.

Tyson Chandler joined the New York Knicks on Saturday, in the belief that joining, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire means he’s not done competing for championships.

The Knicks have long needed a defensive presence, and Chandler plans to provide it. “I know what my job is coming here,” he said. “I know I came here to defend. I’m going to defend the rim, I’m going to rebound, I’m going to get extra shots. And I think if we play on both ends and play as a team, the sky is definitely the limit for this squad.”

Chandler gets a four-year contract worth about $56 million after coming to the Knicks via sign-and-trade as part of a three-team deal. The Knicks sent Ronny Turiaf and cash to the Washington Wizards and reserve guard Andy Rautins to the Mavericks, and there were other picks involved.

The Knicks also waived point guard Chauncey Billups and designated him as their amnesty player so they could afford Chandler.

The 7-foot-1 Chandler helped the Mavericks win the NBA championship last season, averaging 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds, and at first hoped he would return to Dallas. But the Mavericks wanted to keep other options open, and when the Knicks emerged as a surprising option, they quickly become Chandler’s preferred one.

“The Knicks were never on my radar. I’d never seen them as being a possibility and once I got word that it could potentially happen, they became my No. 1 priority was to get here,” Chandler said.

It took some work, notably using the amnesty clause to waive Billups so his $14.2 million salary wouldn’t count for salary cap or luxury tax purposes.