Chandler Parsons will likely be one of the most coveted free agents this summer. While the Dallas Mavericks’ small forward has a player option on his contract this season, it is probable that he will opt out in order to secure both a raise and a long-term deal in the rising cap environment.
The Mavs will surely attempt to re-sign Parsons who has quietly had a strong, extended stretch of great play this season. However, his re-signing with the team is not a given, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The possibility of Parsons choosing to leave the Mavs becomes more intriguing with the threat of the forward’s hometown Orlando Magic being in the mix to sign him:
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…
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….
The Magic made major moves at the trade deadline with the apparent intention of clearing up cap space for the summer. Parsons, a player who could and probably will garner a max contract, could fill that space up well. The former Rocket could be plugged in well with his shooting ability a need for a team building around a core of Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo on the perimeter.
Parsons will surely gain interest from other teams as well. The impending cap rise and available cap space for nearly every team that comes as a result of it will make him even more intriguing across the league. For now, it seems as though the Magic will be the first outside team in the Chandler Parsons sweepstakes.
