Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons. (Photo : Getty Images)
The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic are reportedly the top two NBA teams that could take forward Chandler Parsons away from the Dallas Mavericks should he choose to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Parsons is in the second year of his three-year, $46.1 million contract with the Mavs which has a player option at the end of this season. If the 27-year-old small forward opts to exercise the option, he would be one of the most coveted free agents this July as his style of play fits the modern NBA that relies on floor spacing.
While the list of teams that could pursue the former Florida standout is long, rumors have emerged that the top two ballclubs that could snag him are the Knicks and Magic.
Fansided's Maxwell Ogden indicated that New York is "expected to be one of Parsons' primary suitors in free agency", citing ESPN's Tim MacMahon as source. However, Ogden immediately questioned the report, saying that "is Parsons the type of player Phil Jackson and the Knicks should pursue?"
Putting into account that the 6-foot-10 wingman is set to command a max contract if he indeed chooses free agency, are the Knicks ready to pay max money for someone who is currently averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 rebounds as a frontcourt player?
To be fair, Parsons started the season averaging only 9.2 points a night as he coming off a knee injury before increasing his numbers in the last two months. He averaged 16.1 points in January and then 18.8 in February to redeem his slow start.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports reported that Parsons' hometown team Magic is the "biggest threat" to steal him from Dallas, also citing MacMahon.
Orlando has reportedly freed sufficient salary cap space to allow themselves to sign two max players this summer and sources have said that they will use one slot to "aggressively pursue Parsons".
While Dallas is still the team that could offer Parsons the most money, he could be willing move elsewhere if the chance of winning would be higher in other squads.
With the Knicks, Parsons will have Carmelo Anthony and super-rookie Kristaps Porzingis as frontcourt partners to begin with while he will have a young core to build upon around him in Orlando.
