Mavs' Parsons may not be ready for camp, won't confirm or deny microfracture surgery
As if the Dallas Mavericks weren't already facing an uncertain offseason, one of the few players actually under contract for next season may not be ready for training camp in the fall.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his mysterious May 1 knee surgery, Chandler Parsons remained coy at an NBA Cares event in Dallas on Thursday.
Parsons, who missed the last six games of the regular season and four of Dallas's five playoff games due to his troublesome right knee, underwent arthroscopic surgery that may or may not have been of the microfracture variety.
Given that no specifics or recovery timetables were made public after the procedure, microfracture was never confirmed or denied. That didn't change on Thursday.
"I don't think they want me to answer if it was or not," Parsons said when asked about microfracture, as reported by Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
Parsons added that while he's hopeful of being ready for next season's training camp, he's not yet sure about it.
"Something like this, you never know," the small forward said. "I think it's very beneficial that I'm not going to be playing any games and practicing or anything like that. I'll just be working out."
Microfracture surgery strikes fear in the hearts of fans, players and teams alike. While many players have returned to form after undergoing the procedure, it comes with a lengthy recovery period and can take a toll on players' long-term outlooks.
Amar'e Stoudemire, Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway are a few famous examples of star players who've undergone microfracture.
The good news is that Parsons doesn't sound as if he's concerned about missing any regular-season action.
"It'll be fun that I don't have to miss much of the season," Parsons said. "I'll do all my rehab, and at least now I have all summer to take my time and get back to better than I was before."
Parsons, one of only three Mavericks (along with Dirk Nowitzki and Devin Harris) with a guaranteed contract on the books for next season, averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a steal on a True Shooting Percentage of 56.7 in his first season in Dallas.
The 26-year-old, who was signed away from the Rockets as a restricted free agent last summer, has two years and over $31 million remaining on his deal, although he holds a player option for the 2016-17 season and could opt to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.