Wilson Chandler, the Knicks' most pleasant surprise of last season, is expected to have surgery on his left ankle to move a bone spur, a league source said last night.
Chandler played in all 82 games in his second year in the NBA and was planning on playing for the Knicks in the summer league starting July 10 in Las Vegas. But ankle surgery would keep him sidelined for six weeks. A Knicks official confirmed Chandler has bonespur issues and is considering surgery, but no date has been set for the procedure.
The athletic and versatile Chandler turned into one of Isiah Thomas' best maneuvers, taking him with the 23rd pick of the 2007 draft. Voted to the Rookie-Sophomore All-Star Game last season, Chandler averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Mike D'Antoni considers Chandler one of three building blocks, along with rookie Danilo Gallinari and David Lee. D'Antoni feels the DePaul product can play shooting guard, small forward or power forward next season.
Gallinari, despite what insiders say has been a very successful rehab stint from back surgery, also is expected to miss the summer league.
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Knicks president Donnie Walsh departs for Italy this week for a Reebok-sponsored European draft camp. The Knicks hold their first pre-draft workouts June 9.
