Chandler Parsons is reportedly set to leave the Dallas Mavericks as he chose to test the free agency market this summer. Speculations abound that the Portland Trail Blazers are ready to give him an offer soonest.
The 27-year-old forward just completed the second year of his three-year, $46 million contract with the Mavericks last season. It came with a player option at the end of 2015-2016, which he chose to decline, making him an unrestricted free agent this July.
There are also recent rumors saying that there is "no chance" that Parsons will return to Dallas next season as the team is adamant not to give in to the former Florida standout's demand of a maximum salary contract.
Dallas is perhaps hesitant to give a long and lucrative deal as his two season with the club both ended too soon with knee surgeries.
Parson's max contract with the Mavs, who possesses the forward's early Bird rights, would be in the vicinity of around $98.8 million across four years, as per ESPN, while other teams can only offer him a max of $94.8 million in the same time span.
CBS Sports indicated that the Blazers were able to "land a meeting" with the 6-foot-10 stretch four to pitch him to join the squad and team leader Damian Lillard is allegedly going to be present.
There are still no indications whether Portland is prepared to give Parsons the max salary that he is looking for, but if they can then there is a high possibility that they will be able to snatch the former Houston Rocket away from Dallas this summer.
The report noted that Parsons would be a significant asset to the Blazers in terms of the playmaking, three-point shooting, and versatility that he can provide as at the moment only Lillard and CJ McCollum can consistently supply that to the team.
Parsons played only 61 games for head coach Rick Carlisle last season because of recurring problems with his right knee that was eventually repaired surgically in March, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
He averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 boards, and 2.8 assists in 29.5 minutes per game, slightly underwhelming for someone who expects to be offered a max salary deal.