I don't see why lack of cap space *this* year is all that big a deal. Chandler could sign a low 1 year contract with a team that doesn't have cap space this year, but will next year. Then next year sign a big deal with them getting the money he wants. That would work for a number of teams...including the Mavs...or the Celtics.
He'd give up a little money, short term, but get it back down the road and be with a team that wants him and that he wants to be with. The only risk would be injury during his low contract year and that's what insurance is for.
Man, I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I gave you a tommy point just for the suggestion. If this is a strategy that could work to sweet talk Tyson Chandler into becoming a Celtic, maybe it could work on Nene or Marc Gasol as well.
I like to dream.
Following the 1999–2000 season, it was discovered that Joe Smith was involved in a salary cap–tampering scandal involving Timberwolves executive Kevin McHale. Smith was allegedly promised a future multi-million dollar deal if he signed with the team for below market value, allowing the team to make some additional player moves in the short term. The league later found out about this violation and voided the last year of the contract, also severely punishing the Timberwolves by taking away five first-round draft picks (though two of the picks were ultimately returned) and fining the team $3.5 million. The move hurt the Timberwolves in the long run, as while the team still found success, the lack of draft picks set the team up for their eventual failure in the mid-2000s.