Chandler Parsons might be staying in Texas after all.
The Dallas Mavericks offered the small forward a three-year deal worth about $46 million, according to the Dallas Morning News. Now the Houston Rockets are on the clock.
The Rockets have 72 hours to match Dallas’ offer or risk losing Parsons to their Western Conference and in-state rival. He’s three reasons why the Rockets need to retain Parsons.
1. Don’t bank on Bosh
Chris Bosh is holding onto a four-year max deal from the Rockets, a Plan B should LeBron James flee Miami and head back to Cleveland.
Bosh is ready to pull the trigger on a max deal with Houston, but at this stage in his career, is he a better fit with the team than Parsons is?
Bosh is 30 years old. Last year he averaged 16.2 points per game, the fourth consecutive year his scoring average has dipped. The same can be said about his rebounding averages, which fell to 6.6 per game, the fourth-year that area has declined in production.
Because of his role with the Heat, Bosh has transformed into a 3-point shooting big man. He shot almost 34 percent from downtown, his highest percentage since 2009-10, also a contract year. I don’t think that kind of scoring is what Houston needs to invest a max contract in.
2. The Chandler Parsons Project
I really wanted to say that, by the way.
At 25 years old, Parsons has improved his numbers each of his three NBA seasons. Last year, he averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.
Is it far-fetched to think Parsons could continue on his upward trajectory and provide the same exact contributions as Bosh would, but for a lesser cost and for more years? I don’t think so, and in fact, I’m sure of it.
3.Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer
With Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler, the Mavericks are building upon a team that challenged the defending champion Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Adding Parsons instantly makes them a superior club.
Parsons now has leverage in this matter, and Houston should fear their rival grabbing hold of a potential star. Imagine Parsons replacing Shawn Marion in the starting five, and the Mavericks should be better able to be at least a No. 5 or 6 seed in the West.
