Report: Grizzlies reach agreement with Parsons on $94M max
The Memphis Grizzlies reached an agreement on a four-year, $94-million deal with free agent forward Chandler Parsons, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Parsons confirmed the union on Instagram by posing next to new Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale.
"I really believed in Coach Fiz. Nobody in the league has coached better wings than him," Parsons texted ESPN's Tim MacMahon about why he chose Memphis. "I trust [assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff] with my life. They have nobody like me, and their veteran, experienced players are a perfect fit with me."
Parsons declined a $15-million player option with the Dallas Mavericks to hit free agency for a second time in three seasons. He followed that decision by insisting he was a maximum player.
This deal with the Grizzlies proves Parsons right. He'll join a veteran group in Memphis hoping to reload ahead of yet another playoff run. Parsons' playmaking abilities, coupled with his 3-point shooting, should give the consistently underwhelming Grizzlies offense a significant boost.
Parsons, however, is fresh off two knee surgeries and only made 61 appearances last season. He averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with a shooting line of .492/.414/.684.
The 27-year-old swingman reportedly turned down an equivalent maximum offer from the Portland Trail Blazers, who pivoted to their Plan B by inking Evan Turner to a four-year, $70-million deal mere minutes after Parsons made his decision.
Memphis will now turn their attention towards re-signing free agent point guard Mike Conley, who's also expected to receive a maximum contract.