For a brief two years, it seemed like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and recruiting extraordinaire Chandler Parsons would indefinitely form the most bro-like player-owner combination in the NBA. But Parsons recently left Dallas for the Memphis Grizzlies.
So now what?
Nothing too different, actually.
Cuban and Parsons may no longer share the same basketball allegiances, but according to Marky Mark, the two are still friends. From the Dallas Morning News:
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recently went on 105.3-FM The Fan’s Ben and Skin Show. Here are some highlights.
On the loss of free agent Chandler Parsons:
Cuban: “I’m still good friends with Chandler. We talked about it after he signed with Memphis. We exchanged texts and stayed friends and committed to stay friends. I like him a lot but there were other things other than basketball that went into the decision. And Chandler was aware of them and he made his decision. We gave him some options and he went in a different direction. That was his choice and I respect it and again, I think he’s a great guy and I hope he has a great season other than the four games we play him.”
This is pretty rad, and it extends well beyond the run-of-the-mill well-wishes that owners and coaches and various team executives tend to offer departed free agents. Those endorsements ring hollow, and barely feel genuine. This is different.
Even with Parsons playing in Memphis, you could totally picture the two going out for drinks or to some EDM club or something along those lines. The difference now is they won’t be talking shop or trade secrets. It wouldn’t make sense.
Which, in turn, is another thing for Cuban to consider: Who will be his premier free-agent recruiter with Parsons gone and Dirk Nowitzki inching closer and closer to the end of his career?
