I don't think they got bamboozled. Chandler was a foul machine compared to Ben.

There is something to be said for having a veteran player on a young team, someone who has been in the trenches of the NBA Finals, and gets a lot of friendly whistles.

After seeing Dwyane Wade punk the Mavs in the Finals from the free throw line, a guy who gets friendly whistles is extremely valuable.

Besides, they paid Ben without going into luxury tax territory, and they structured his annual salary to de-escalate.

You're also forgetting that Chandler was moved for PJ Brown, another veteran presence and 2 second round picks...

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Competition is merely the absence of oppression.
- Frédéric Bastiat