Report: Parsons convinced Cuban to go after Jordan, let Ellis walk
The main reason there was awkwardness in Chandler Parsons' departure from the Dallas Mavericks to the Memphis Grizzlies over the summer was the close relationship he enjoyed with Mavs' owner Mark Cuban.
That much was known. Yet, Parsons reportedly appeared to have almost unprecedented pull for a non-All-Star player during his two years in Dallas. To wit: It was Parsons' idea for the Mavs to go after free agent DeAndre Jordan in the summer of 2015, with another part of the plan being the ousting of Monta Ellis - who Parsons had clashed with - reports ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Jordan, of course, reneged on a verbal commitment to Cuban and the Mavericks, setting into motion one of the most bizarre nights in NBA offseason history. Parsons, well known as one of the NBA's top recruiters, was instrumental in the pitch to Jordan.
When Jordan chose to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, it effectively set the Mavericks back. Ellis, a volume-shooting guard, was also a free agent that summer and signed with the Indiana Pacers. The Mavs ended up with Wesley Matthews, but fell to a 42-40 record in 2015-16.
Contract negotiations between Cuban and Parsons then soured the friendship, with the Mavs deciding the forward's knee issues were too risky to merit a max contract in 2016.
Related: Parsons on Mavs' Cuban: I knew I would be taken care of financially
While Parsons was injured at the beginning of last year's playoffs, he and Cuban - along with actress Amy Schumer, among others - were partying at an Oklahoma City bar, according to MacMahon.
As Parsons left the establishment in a taxi, he reportedly yelled at Cuban, "Max or nothing, motherfucker!"
Less than three months later, Parsons signed a four-year, $94.8-million contract with the Grizzlies.