Chandler Parsons To Opt Out

Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons has decided to opt out of his deal and hit free agency this summer, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports (ESPN Now link). Parsons will now become an unrestricted free agent, despite team owner Mark Cuban’s attempts to convince him to opt in for the remaining year of his contract, MacMahon adds.

Parsons, 27, was set to earn $16,023,000 next season, but with the salary cap set to jump to approximately $94MM for 2016/17, it seems like a no-brainer for the player to test the open market this offseason. Securing a long-term pact is likely preferable to Parsons given his balky knee that required season-ending surgery back in May.

In 61 appearances for the Mavs this season, Parsons notched averages of 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 29.5 minutes per outing. His shooting line was .492/.414/.684. These numbers were certainly a step back for the player from previous campaigns, who has yet to prove he is capable of carrying a franchise and being a number one option on offense. That is certainly something for Dallas to consider when attempting to re-sign Parsons. Though, given then team’s difficulties landing top-tier free agents, it may not have any choice but to overpay in order to retain the forward if it hopes to remain competitive in the West.

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