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Report: Parsons' camp confident he lands max contract in free agency

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler Parsons is reportedly open to returning to the Dallas Mavericks, but as the franchise prioritizes other players this summer in free agency, the 27-year-old will embrace the recruitment process as teams make bids to acquire his services.

Coming off his sixth year in the NBA, Parsons will enter this offseason as an unrestricted free agent after declining his $16-million player option for 2016-17. A team source told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that Parsons will be "all ears" when it comes to offers, with his camp believing he'll command a max contract with an annual salary of $22 million.

Usually filling the role of recruiter himself, Parsons will now be the one being sought after instead of pitching other talent to come play with him, like he did last year with DeAndre Jordan and a few years earlier with Dwight Howard in Houston.

The Mavericks have a couple of high-profile free agents in their crosshairs in point guard Mike Conley and center Hassan Whiteside. Should their efforts fall through to land one or both of those players, the team will reportedly turn its attention back to Parsons, even though signing him to a max deal is something they simply will not do.

Parsons' first two seasons in Dallas have ended prematurely so he could go under the knife to repair his ailing right knee - a big reason why management is reluctant to invest max dollars into a player with his injury history.

Owner Mark Cuban reportedly tried to convince Parsons not to opt out of the final year of his contract, which the Florida product never seriously considered because of his desire to ink a long-term deal for more money.

Should Parsons leave, the team believes Justin Anderson can step in as a regular starter and contribute. Free agents like Evan Fournier, Kent Bazemore, Evan Turner, and Marvin Williams will also be on Dallas' radar.

In 61 appearances last season, Parsons averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 29.5 minutes while shooting 49.2 percent from the field.

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