1. Chandler Parsons
Chandler Parsons‘ return to Dallas looks unlikely. Parsons’ name has been tied to the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers. Well, the Orlando Magic have their frontcourt tied up with Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Mario Hezonja, and Serge Ibaka.
With it looking like a Gordon-Ibaka-Vucevic front court, signing Parsons may not make sense. He may want to go back to Florida, where he went to college.
The New Orleans Pelicans are a mystery. After tying money to non-spacing centers Omer Asik and Alexis Ajencia, will a injury-prone Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday and rookie Buddy Hield be enough to lure Parsons?
The Lakers are too young to be super competitive for Parsons. In addition, they will probably save money towards the 2017 free agency.
In Memphis, Parsons has the opportunity to either compliment or lead. He is the perfect 3-and-D wing who can guard positions 2-4. In a injury-riddled season last year, Parsons averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 41.4 percent shooting from 3.
He would be the perfect perimeter compliment to Mike Conley and the ideal floor spacer for Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.
Once the contracts of Randolph and Tony Allen are off the books, the Grizzlies will have close to $30 million in cap space, even if they sign Parsons and Conley to max deals.
The Grizzlies could do what Dallas did and use Parsons, to lure free agents such as Ibaka, Nerlens Noel or Nikola Mirotic.
If the Grizzlies sign Parsons, they will put themselves in perfect position to contend now while transitioning towards the future.