Chandler Parsons rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers interested

Mar 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Marreese Speights (15) in the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Marreese Speights (15) in the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets have stated on more than one occasion that they have no plans to let Chandler Parsons walk in free agency. Of course, that’s likely just a scare tactic in hopes of preventing a team from offering the small forward a contract.

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That threat hasn’t worried the Cleveland Cavaliers though, who Marc Stein of ESPN says are ‘strongly interested’ in signing the restricted free agent assuming they are left at the alter by LeBron James.

Nobody really knows what James is up to at this point and the Cavaliers seem to be preparing themselves for a possible reunion. However, if the two sides can’t find middle ground on a deal that’s going to leave the Cavaliers with a ton of available cap space which they may be willing to spend (at least some of it) on Chandler Parsons.

While Chandler Parsons is obviously no LeBron James, he’s no slouch either and his ability to shoot from the perimeter with strong efficiency would be a welcome addition to a Cavaliers roster.

All that said, the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be in a no-win situation in terms of signing Chandler Parsons because if they whiff on LeBron James, Parsons isn’t going to be viewed as a very respectable consolation prize (even though he should).

What exactly the Cavaliers would be willing to pay Parsons is an unknown, though, it would have to be significant as they’d need to force the Houston Rockets hand into not matching. That may be difficult considering the Rockets seem unlikely to sign a big name free agent.