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Report: Blazers targeting Tyson Chandler

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Portland Trail Blazers have their eyes on a former Defensive Player of the Year as the solution to their defensive woes.

The Blazers are tracking Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler for a potential trade to fix their 30th-ranked defense, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

Chandler figures to be expendable, since Phoenix holds a backlog of frontcourt prospects short on playing time, but the Suns parried off overtures last offseason for their veteran center. Chandler is one of the few veteran voices in the Suns' locker room and remains a productive player in his 16th season.

As for Portland's interest, Chandler could serve as their much-needed anchor on defense. The 34-year-old isn't as mobile as he once was, but he continues to be a strong communicator and a clever two-way force in the paint.

Chandler holds averages of 7.5 points and 11.6 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game this season on 68.5 percent shooting from the field. He is under contract through 2019 at roughly $13 million per season.

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