Chandler Parsons’ potential foray into free agency doesn’t get talked about enough.
So, let’s talk about it.
The 27-year-old owns a player option worth over $16 million for next season. He could eschew free agency for another year and re-enter the fray in 2017, when the salary cap explodes yet again, or he could try capitalizing on a rather unimpressive market this summer.
Either way, as a wing who can play both forward spots, stroke threes and function within a pick-and-roll-heavy, passing-packed offense, Chandler will generate interest. And there are those who think the Orlando Magic have the ability to become frontrunners for his services, per ESPN.com’s Tim MacMahon:
Don’t assume Parsons will automatically re-sign with the Mavs this summer after he opts out of the final season of his three-year, $46 million contract — which is a virtual certainty with the salary cap soaring — despite owner Mark Cuban’s making it clear he is committed to keeping Parsons as a foundation piece.
The Mavs fully understand that the 27-year-old forward, who is in the midst of the best statistical stretch of his career, will need to be re-recruited this offseason.
Those close to the situation consider his hometown Magic to be the biggest threat to steal Parsons from the Mavs. With its pre-deadline dealing, Orlando cleared enough cap space to sign two players to max contracts. Sources anticipate that the Magic will aggressively pursue Parsons.
This is most problematic, obviously, for the Mavericks. It’s not necessarily that, all things being equal, Parsons would choose Orlando over Dallas. But the Magic sure as hell might be willing to commit more dollar signs.
In the event Parsons commands a substantial raise from his current salary, the Mavericks will have some soul-searching to do. Sure, they have the flexibility to keep him without otherwise standing completely pat. But can you really reinvest in a huge chunk of what has been, to this point, a mediocre nucleus? Dallas will nab a playoff berth but likely as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed, decreasing the chances it advances past the first round.
If the Mavericks get a commitment from a star first and are then able to squeeze Chandler Parsons in under the cap, his return becomes a no-brainer. But it’s more likely that his free-agency junket becomes a source of hot debate, even if he inevitably returns to Dallas.
