Memphis lands Chandler Parsons for 4 years, $94M

The Grizzlies are trying to keep Mike Conley, who is also one of the top targets for the Mavericks, who are in a pretty bad point guard situation. That would be a huge pay raise for Parsons, provided that he decides to accept this offer from the Blazers. With Parsons going to Memphis, it makes it very likely that unrestricted free agent Mike Conley will re-sign, and bringing in Parsons and re-signing Conley would avoid a complete rebuild from the Grizzlies.

Chandler Parsons #25 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on March 18, 2016 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Last season with the Mavs, Parsons averaged 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds a game, while playing 29.5 minutes a night. He runs the offense as good as any point guard in the league, plays exceptional defense and has knocked down the three at a 37 percent clip in his career.

Portland’s willingness to hand out a max contract to Parsons does raise questions about their intentions towards Hassan Whiteside. The salary cap will hit $94 million next season so players are looking to cash in max or near max deals.

After everyone buried them saying that the end was nigh for this core of players, in keeping Conley, adding Chandler Parsons, and filling the cupboard with young players like Deyonta Davis and Wade Baldwin in the draft, the Grizzlies have dramatically altered their outlook. Memphis was able to offer Conley more than any other team pining for his services.

Parsons could be eyeing a return to his home in the City Beautiful.

When healthy, he is a playmaking forward who can shoot the 3-pointer a much-needed attribute for the Grizzlies and defend multiple positions. He would team up with Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum to create a core that would last many years. Young non-playoff teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz are sure to rise towards playoff contention next year.

Dallas only had one pick in the 2016 National Basketball Association draft, No. 46, deep into the second round. GM Chris Wallace said publicly the Grizzlies have not failed in this era to re-sign their key free agents and once again they came up big.