The Memphis Grizzlies managed to strike a deal with a coveted free agent this past offseason, reaching an agreement with forward Chandler Parsons one week into the free agency.
Parsons, a valuable offensive-minded player who was coming off a tumultuous season with the Dallas Mavericks, immediately registered league-wide interest from numerous teams once free agency began. Dallas was not among those teams, opting not to bring Parsons back on a new contract.
Among the teams interested were the Grizzlies, Lakers, Magic and Trail Blazers. Portland impressed Parsons on July 1st, the start of free agency. So much so, that Parsons nearly agreed to join them following their first free-agent meeting:
“I was close,” Parsons said (via Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal). “They have a great thing going; Paul Allen, Neil Olshley and coach Stotts are unbelievable guys. Obviously you see how talented their team is with those two guards (Lillard and McCollum). I had nothing against them, I just went with my heart on this one, and I’m happy I’m with Memphis.”
The Trail Blazers offered Parsons a lofty four-year deal worth $94.7 million, but in the end, it was Memphis who ultimately came out the winner in the bidding.
Portland would move on, inking another free-agent forward in Evan Turner to a contract. The Grizzlies later celebrated their new addition, an addition that is finally expected to make his season debut today against the Blazers.
