Memphis Grizzlies: 2016 Offseason Grades

Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Dec 18, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies forward James Ennis (8) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Picking Up Parsons

For awhile, it seemed like Chandler Parsons was going to try and sway Mike Conley or Hassan Whiteside to join him in Dallas. Instead, Grizzlies fans were pleasantly surprised to learn that not only was Conley staying, but that Parsons was also coming with him, playing an instrumental part in keeping him.

On a four-year, $98.5 million contract, the Grizzlies inked the theoretical fit to their 3-and-D wing puzzle that had plagued them for years. Though he’s hardly a lockdown defender, Parsons is a prolific perimeter shooter and underrated scorer at his best.

However, there are plenty of concerns with a deal like this as well. Paying around $24.6 million a season — equivalent to an $18.3 million contract under last year’s $70 million salary cap — is a bloated figure for a healthy Chandler Parsons, let alone the injury-beleaguered one we’ve seen over the last few years.

Over the last two years in Dallas, Parsons missed 16 and 21 games, sustaining serious knee injuries to ends his season both times. With so many surgeries and knee problems, the Grizz are definitely taking a risk by paying him that kind of massive salary.

Last year, Parsons averaged 13.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting a tidy 49.2 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range but not quite looking like himself either. At age 27, Parsons should be in his prime, but has obviously been held back by nagging knee problems.

If those problems continue, this could prove to be a disastrous signing down the road, especially for a Grizzlies team that’s already been hindered by injuries to Gasol, Z-Bo and Conley over the last few years. If he’s healthy though, this deal is a solid investment for a playmaking wing who can spread the floor for the Grizzlies’ offense.

Grade: B

Next: Odds And Ends