Lakers Would Be Foolish To Pay Chandler Parsons Max Dollars

Chandler Parsons expects max dollars, but the Dallas Mavericks aren’t willing to pay. Here’s why the Los Angeles Lakers would be advised to stay away.

Chandler Parsons could be playing for his third team in four years at the start of next season. According to several reports, the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic would be willing to pay the three-point shooting wing the maximum four-year contract worth $94 million.

Seriously?

There is a recurring trend here.

After spending his first three seasons in Houston, which culminated with a career-high tally of 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 rebounds per game, the Rockets surprisingly refused to match a three-year $46 million offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks.

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After the Rockets let Parsons walk, Mavs owner gloated over his new acquisition via social media and promised to make the former Gator his new franchise cornerstone.

Fast forward two years later and Cuban is willing to let Parsons walk since he doesn’t consider Parsons a max-worthy player.

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon:

"“(T)he Mavs have made it clear to Parsons that they do not intend to offer him a max contract to keep him after his first two seasons in Dallas ended prematurely because of surgeries on his right knee.”"

Even if Mavs strike out in their pursuit of Hassan Whiteside and/or Mike Conley, they wouldn’t shell out a four-year $98 million deal to retain Parsons.

"“It’s a question of dollars and injury status,” said Donnie Nelson, Mavs’ president of basketball operations, while addressing the Parsons situation."

Back to the Lakers.

Parsons would actually be a really good fit in Luke Walton’s up-tempo, motion offense. Since rookie Brandon Ingram isn’t physically equipped to play against the established wings in the league, Parsons would be better suited to starting at the 3 for Walton.

Parsons excels at playing off-the-ball, is an above-average spot-up shooter, can guard the perimeter and is a willing playmaker.

It’s more than likely that Ingram sees more minutes playing the 2. Remember, Kevin Durant entered the league as a shooting guard due to his skinny frame. Paul George, too, started as a 2-guard.

Since Ingram isn’t ready to start at small forward, the Lakers would need to go after either Parsons, Luol Deng, Harrison Barnes, Kent Bazemore, Nicolas Batum or Marvin Williams in free agency.

Suffice to say, Chandler Parsons is the biggest gamble among the aforementioned three-and-D options. He is most likely the second best perimeter shooter in this year’s free agency class. But he’s also a risk not worth taking.

The ESPN report also noted that “Parsons’ camp remains confident that he will command a max contract with a starting annual salary of $22 million.”

There is a feeling around the league that teams are willing to pay top dollars to second-tier and third-tier players because of the unprecedented salary hike.

But do Lakers want to spend max dollars on a player who barely played 30 minutes per game last season for 13.7 points? Deng would be a cheaper and more reliable option. Also, Deng, a terrific locker room leader, would be the perfect mentor to Ingram.

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The Lakers would be best advised to stay as far away from Chandler Parsons as possible.