Should Mavs be worried about losing Chandler Parsons?
Since the All-Star break, Chandler Parsons is having one of the best stretches of his career. Could Dallas lose him this summer? Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
8:58 AM ET
Tim MacMahonESPN Staff Writer
DALLAS -- On his first day of kindergarten,
Chandler Parsonsscribbled a picture of himself in an
Orlando Magic uniform to illustrate what he wanted to be when he grew up.
That childhood dream could become a reality this summer, which would be a nightmare for the
Dallas Mavericks.
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.
It's not a subject Parsons wants to discuss as the Mavs prepare for Tuesday's home game against the Magic and the stretch run of the regular season, though he certainly didn't slam the door on the possibility.
"My focus right now is solely on finishing this season as strong as possible with the Mavericks," Parsons said. "It'd be selfish of me and a disservice to this franchise and to my teammates to be thinking about this summer when we have a chance to do something special. We'll have plenty of time to think about business this summer. It's basketball season now."
Parsons tersely cut off an attempt to press him on the issue: "You have a calendar? This isn't July. Call me then, if you want to talk about free agency."
Parsons' phone will probably be ringing a lot at that time. He will be one of the league's most coveted unrestricted free agents in a market in which 20 teams are projected to have enough cap room to make max offers.
This free-agency crop should feature two of the biggest names in basketball --
LeBron James and
Kevin Durant -- but it's not a deep class. That's particularly true of playmaking combo forwards, a pretty rare species the 6-foot-9 Parsons has joined this season by proving he can thrive as a power forward.
The list of teams interested in Parsons will be long, with sources expecting the
Miami Heat,
Los Angeles Lakers,
Brooklyn Nets,
New York Knicks,
Portland Trail Blazers,
Houston Rockets,
Denver Nuggets and Magic to be among Parsons' suitors. If Durant leaves Oklahoma City, add the Thunder to the list, with a potential reunion with Parsons' coach at Florida, Billy Donovan.
It's a perfect scenario for Parsons to get paid, and he is expected to command a max contract. Dallas, which won't have Parsons' full Bird rights required to offer a fifth year, would be able to pay him roughly $96 million over four years. Other teams would be able to offer approximately $92 million over the same span.
Parsons' decision will come down to comfort and the best opportunity to reach his potential -- not dollars -- according to sources familiar with his thinking.
The Orlando situation is expected to be especially intriguing to Parsons, and not only because of the nearby Lake Howell High School alumnus' ties to the area, where his parents and many other family members live.
The Magic, whose oldest starter is 25-year-old center
Nikola Vucevic, have a talented, young core consisting largely of developing, recent lottery picks and a glaring need for an experienced, go-to guy. Orlando could allow Parsons, who prides himself on his recruiting ability, to have significant input on the team's other primary target. (Perhaps fellow Gator
Al Horford?)
The Mavs should still be considered the favorites in the pending Parsons sweepstakes, as he feels a strong sense of loyalty to Cuban and
Dirk Nowitzki, in particular. Parsons also has a close relationship with Rick Carlisle and lobbied for Dallas' head coach to receive the five-year contract extension he signed this fall.
Schedule is too tough to compete for a spot. It shouldn't be but it is for this team.
; and the cavs have been playing just like this the whole fucking year; same no offense, dont use love right, kyrie and lbj holding the ball to dam long, tristan overpaid bitch ass, jr smith is hot or cold, more like cold; everybody else useless....
