Dallas Mavericks: Chandler Parsons Has Been Key To Staying Afloat

Since the beginning of 2016, the Dallas Mavericks have not been playing well, however, Chandler Parsons has helped keep them in the playoff race.

The Dallas Mavericks signed Chandler Parsons in hopes that he could provide Dirk Nowitzki with quality scoring assistance on a team that was desperate for a consistent second scorer.

After a successful 2014-15 season, in terms of play, Parsons needed major knee surgery, making him unavailable for the 2015-16 preseason and beginning of the regular season. Even after he made his season debut, it took him a couple of months to get back to his normal style of play.

Going into 2016, the Mavs had a record of 19-13 and a winning streak of four. Since then, they’ve been very inconsistent with their play, often winning one or two games before losing one or two games immediately after. Fortunately, Parsons hit his mark during that same stretch and helped them pick up key wins when they needed them.

After one of his best games of the year on Feb. 28 (29 points, six rebounds, four assists), he spoke on his struggles earlier in the season (via ESPN.com)

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"“It was something that was very hard to go through, but I’m glad because all the pain, all the struggle, all the work I put in, I use that every time I step on the floor. I realize no one’s worked as hard as me to get here.”"

If it wasn’t for Parsons’ best stretch of the season, the Mavs could’ve been in for a big drop in the standings. They are currently just four games ahead of the ninth-place Utah Jazz, but things could’ve gotten worse without Parsons.

Since the start of 2016, he’s been averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 51 percent from three and 55 percent overall.

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A key factor in his increased production has been the fact that he finally looks like his old self and his movements look more pure. A big part of Parsons’ game is his patented pump fake, and with a recovering knee, it’s harder to utilize it. Now, he is pump faking players out of their shoes again which, in turn, has led to more of his game being opened up.

In fact, Chandler Parsons has probably been the best player on the Mavs since we hit 2016. Not only has he finally gotten healthy, he looks even better than he did last season and he has been able to put together some quality scoring nights:

• Jan. 20 – 30 points
• Jan. 22 – 26 points
• Jan. 24 – 31 points
• Feb. 6 – 26 points
• Feb. 26 – 27 points
• Feb. 28 –  29 points
• March 3 – 28 points

In 2014-15, Parsons scored more than 25 points on just seven different occasions. In 2015-16, he did the same thing in a matter of just 41 days. With that type of offensive power, he was able to help the Mavs win a few extra games, which is critical at this point in the season.

If Parsons continues to score like a true star, he is going to benefit greatly this summer as he will have the chance to opt out of his player option and hit the market. Should he continue to play well, he could be destined for a max contract, something desperate teams like the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks would be willing to dish out.

Then there is always Parsons’ hometown of Orlando that provides him a great opportunity of joining a young Magic team. For the sake of the future, the Mavs are going to have to make sure that if he does opt out, he is dedicated to re-signing, even if it means having to pay more than planned.

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Parsons has been a major factor in keeping the Mavs comfortable in the playoff picture this season and he will be a very important piece going forward. His is valuable to the team and he has proved that he is capable of making a big difference. It will be up to the front office to make sure he stays so they get to enjoy him for a few more years.