Houston Rockets told Chandler Parsons to find largest contract possible
By Bryan Rose
When the Houston Rockets decided to decline their team option on Chandler Parsons this offseason, the move was questioned by many.
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No, it wasn’t some ‘kind’ gesture on behalf of the Rockets as they were going to have to pay Chandler Parsons a significant salary this offseason or next, but it did allow the forward to get paid sooner than later. It appears as if the Rockets were under the impression they were going to be the team paying Parsons as they reportedly told the sharp shooter to find the largest contract possible in free agency and they’d match it.
“They pretty much told me, ‘Go get the biggest deal and the best deal for you and we’re matching,’ ” Parsons said. “At the end of the day it’s a business and I have no hard feelings against them.”
Of course, Chandler Parsons did exactly that as he secured himself a three-year, $45 million dollar offer sheet with the rival Dallas Mavericks. Houston had the opportunity to match the contract offer and allegedly were thinking of doing so if Chris Bosh was to accept the Rockets’ offer. However, Bosh decided to return to the Miami Heat and the Rockets apparently weren’t willing to spend major coin on Chandler Parsons at that point.
It’s difficult to blame a free agent that departs for a greener pasture, but it’s really difficult to blame them when they’re told to seek out a massive contract by their own team who decides not to match the deal.