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Chandler Parsons 'shifting into GM mode' for Mavericks

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

It's right there on his résumé, just beneath basketball player and model: Chandler Parsons is a general manager.

Or so the injured Dallas Mavericks forward fancies himself. As he recovers from surgery to address a cartilage issue in his right knee, Parsons has begun looking for ways to help the team while in recovery.

That could entail luring free agents, something teammate Dirk Nowitzki believes Parsons will be good at, willingly stepping down as the team's unofficial recruiter. Owner Mark Cuban may call the shots and Donnie Nelson may be the official general manager, but Parsons is ready to get to work.

"Shifting into GM mode," Parsons said, as reported by Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. "I think it's kind of like a known thing that I'd like to do that. I have a lot of good relationship with a lot of guys ... I'm sure we'll have those conversations when the time comes."

Parsons seems a natural fit for the role and is largely credited with helping the Houston Rockets land Dwight Howard. He's also been a member of the U.S. national team program that's home to plenty of marquee players and, well, he's a part-time model who signed his latest contract at the club. The dude can probably have a good time.

The Mavericks are rumored to have interest in unrestricted free agents DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge, with Texas's friendly income-tax laws, the organization's strong reputation and the presence of head coach Rick Carlisle all likely selling points.

As much as their outside targets could be interesting, the Mavericks have tough in-house decisions to make with likely free agents Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler, Al-Farouq Aminu and Amar'e Stoudemire. How those situations play out could determine how much salary cap flexibility the Mavericks have with which to unleash Parsons on free agents.

As for Parsons, he's expected to be healthy for the start of the 2015-16 season. he averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and one steal in the first season of a three-year deal with the Mavs. Parsons can opt out of that deal next summer to enter the 2016 free agency bonanza as the salary cap explodes, which could impede his ability to secure long-term commitments as a recruiter.

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