Despite seeing the option for his fourth season with the Houston Rockets declined, Chandler Parsons might still end up with his current team. However, in a move to free up some cap space, they’ve left him available through restricted free agency to other teams, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves all interested in signing him.
Parsons was coming off the third year out of four on his rookie deal, making just under $1 million a season. He was going to make the same kind of money next season as well, but he has a chance to get paid a lot more a year earlier than he should be thanks to the moves being made by the Rockets and the current scenario in free agency.
Averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, Parsons is probably the third best small forward in the market behind James and Anthony. He can also play as a power forward in smaller lineups. However, his destiny depends more on the destination of Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony and Klay Thompson.
The Rockets did the smart thing. They want to keep Parsons, but obviously wanted cap space to sign Anthony and or LeBron James. By leaving Parsons in RFA, they can see what kind of offers he get and leave themselves the option of re-signing him after getting their prized possession from either the Knicks or the Bulls. If they’ll be going for both, which is unlikely but always possible, it’ll probably include a mega trade – James Harden possibly?
Parsons himself could be part of a trade deal – the Golden State Warriors are interested in the player and are even willing to take Jeremy Lin and his $8.3 million cap hit along with him, although Lin actually makes $15 million next season in the weirdly constructed deal, which has similar mathematics attached to that of Asik, who was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers are interested in Carmelo Anthony. The Chicago Bulls want Anthony and LeBron James. The Minnesota Timberwolves would like to keep Kevin Love, but if not, they want Klay Thompson as part of the deal they’re brokering with the Golden State Warriors. Chandler Parsons is on the backburner for all three teams. The NBA free agency market always starts moving after the big names come off the board and everyone knows where they stand.