Report: Mavs' Parsons opts out, will become UFA
Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons will decline his $16-million player option for 2016-17 and become an unrestricted free agent this summer, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports.
Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban reportedly tried to convince Parsons to pick up his option, but Parsons couldn't resist another chance at free agency.
With the salary cap rising to $94 million, Parsons' camp expects a significant raise for the oft-injured playmaker. A maximum contract could see the 27-year-old earn as much as $24 million next season.
Parsons struggled through an injury-wracked campaign as knee surgeries bookended his 61 appearances. He missed the last month of the season and the playoffs on account of a second knee surgery within 10 months.
He did eventually find his stride between January and March while operating as a secondary playmaker on the wing. Parsons averaged 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and a scoring hot 42.9 percent from deep.
The Mavericks signed Parsons to a three-year, $46-million contract in 2014.