Chandler Parsons will likely have season-ending surgery this week on a torn meniscus in his right knee, sources told Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. He’ll receive a second opinion before undergoing the procedure, but even if he does go under the knife, he’s expected to be healthy enough to engage in his normal offseason workout regimen, according to MacMahon. Parsons is still expected to opt out and hit free agency this summer, with the Mavericks the favorites to re-sign him, MacMahon writes.
This would be the second year in a row that Parsons’ season ends prematurely because of his right knee, though the injury this time isn’t as severe as the one that required microfracture surgery last spring, MacMahon hears. Parsons, 27, left Friday’s game early with what the Mavs called a sore right hamstring. He sat out Sunday’s game, and an MRI revealed Monday that the torn meniscus was causing the hamstring pain, sources told MacMahon.
The loss of Parsons for the stretch run is a crushing blow to the Mavericks, who are just one game up on the Jazz for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The versatile forward was averaging 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game with 44.7% 3-point shooting in 14 games since the All-Star break, in the midst of what MacMahon calls the best stretch of his career. It’s much too late for Dallas to reap a disabled player exception, and even with Jeremy Evans also done for the season, the Mavs don’t have enough injuries to qualify for a hardship provision.
The Magic have been primed for an aggressive run at Parsons in free agency this summer, and they loom as his top non-Dallas choice, as MacMahon previously reported. Sources who spoke with the ESPN scribe expected the Heat, Lakers, Nets, Knicks, Trail Blazers, Rockets, Nuggets and perhaps Thunder to also give chase, though it’s unclear how the injury affects their interest or the way Orlando views him. However, the Mavs are expected to be just as determined to re-sign him despite the renewed knee trouble, MacMahon tweets, reiterating in his story that Parsons is expected to receive max offers.
Do you think Parsons has done enough to warrant a max deal? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.
2 season ending surgeries in a row? Not a chance he receives a max now. Teams will be weary of his health now
Your exactly right and I wonder if the Mavericks can potentially bring in a superstar to Dallas this upcoming off season. Could they go after LeBron? KD? How about Drummond? Lots of ideas but again those guys would stay with their respective teams.
A meniscus tear isn’t what it used to be. He’s 27. He’ll get max offers from not only the Mavs, but other teams. Whether you agree with that is really besides the point.