DENVER -- Wilson Chandler is still in a New York state of mind.Despite New York not signing him to a contract extension by the Nov. 1 deadline, the forward said his top priority is to re-sign with the Knicks next summer as a restricted free agent.
"I'd love to be here,'' Chandler said before scoring 23 points Tuesday at Denver. "Just the city and just being close to the people in the organization. I just love being here. ... I think the future looks great (for the Knicks).''
The Knicks will be able to match any offer next summer on Chandler. But it's not out of the question he will end up raising his value from what he could have been locked up for earlier this month.
Chandler is averaging 17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. Both are in line to be career bests for the fourth-year man taken No. 23 in the 2007 draft.
"It's a possibility,'' Chandler said of his value improving. "It can go either way. You don't sign it and it can lower your value or it can go up.''
The Knicks and Chandler's representatives negotiated until the final day. In the end, with uncertainties regarding the collective bargaining agreement that expires June 30, 2011 and with New York's desire to go after another marquee free agent next summer, the Knicks did not make an offer.
"Not really, with everything that is going on in the NBA (with the possibility of a lockout),'' Chander said about not being upset at not landing an extension. So it wasn't surprising. Just have a good year this year and hopefully things will work out next year. It's not like the world's coming to an end.
"It came close, pretty close (to an extension getting done). But it didn't happen, so that's neither here nor there. I just go out and play and don't worry about it, and everything will work itself out.''
Chandler does know he wants to remain in New York, which would make him the team's longest-tenured player. Center Eddy Curry, inactive all season while in the final year of his contract, is the only other Knick remaining from 2007-08, and he's certain to be gone by next season.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or on Twitter @christomasson
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