NBA Rumors: Grizzlies, Lakers showing interest in Chandler Parsons
Recent NBA Rumors suggest that the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are interested in free agent forward Chandler Parsons.
Point guard Mike Conley is likely to be their top priority, but the Memphis Grizzlies are also reportedly interested in landing forward Chandler Parsons when free agency begins at midnight. The Los Angeles Lakers have also shown interest in the free agent forward.
Parsons wants a max contract, and the Dallas Mavericks have not shown any interest in giving it to him. Parsons will now look to the open market for his max deal, and may find somebody willing to give him the deal.
Marc Stein of ESPN reports the Grizzlies interest in Parsons, while the Worldwide Leader’s Tim MacMahon connects Parsons to the Lakers.
Parsons averaged 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, while shooting a career-high 41 percent from three-point range. Parsons is a long and athletic player who shows great defensive versatility and can hit the outside shot. His skill-set is made for today’s NBA.
That being said, I can see why the Mavericks struggle to see Parsons as a max player. He is undoubtedly a very good player who brings a strong array of skills to the mix. Also, the rise of the salary cap is going to make free agent prices soar.
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That being said, giving Parsons a max deal seems like an irresponsible move. The Grizzlies have to make Conley their priority this off season, and if they give Conley the max, it would be difficult to bring Parsons on-board as well.
Perhaps Memphis is looking at Parsons as a back-up option in case they lose Conley, but it seems unlikely that they land both.
The Lakers have plenty of money to spend, and would obviously love to add to their young corps of players. They could certainly use a guy like Parsons on the court, as a do-everything veteran presence.
One way or another, Parsons is going to get paid a big salary as many teams would love to add a player like him to the mix. In my opinion, Parsons is not a max contract player, but we all know that NBA free agency is going to get crazy.
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