Chandler Parsons has two years and almost $50 million left on his contract. It is no secret that his injuries have caused him to perform well under the expectations of that kind of contract.
You would be hard-pressed to find a Grizzlies fan that would be against trading Chandler Parsons’ contract. While it is not necessarily his fault, he has been an utter disappointment as the biggest free-agent signing in franchise history.
Bobby Marks, a front office insider for ESPN, was on the Jason and John Show on 92.9 ESPN Memphis today and had this to say:
Bobby Marks says on the show that he's heard some rumblings about the Grizzlies attaching Chandler Parsons to the No. 4 pick and moving back in the draft.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) June 12, 2018
If Marks’ sources are correct, this deal could either make a lot of sense or no sense at all. The bigger question is which direction is the franchise moving in? Are the Memphis Grizzlies blowing it up or are they still retooling on the fly?
The secret workout of Wendell Carter furthers the suspicion of a trade-back because there is little to no chance he is in play at No. 4 for Memphis. If Carter is the guy Wallace and the Front Office loves, then moving back and dumping a huge contract makes absolute sense.
At No. 4, players such as Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III, and Michael Porter Jr. — potential franchise changers — will possibly be available. Is trading down, just to dump this bad contract, worth passing on one of these talents?
Let’s take a look at a few of the possibilities of this being true.
Deals That Make Sense
Memphis Grizzlies send: Chandler Parsons, Ivan Rabb, 2018 Pick No. 4
Los Angeles Clippers send: Tobias Harris, Patrick Beverley, 2018 Picks No. 12 & No. 13 overall
The only reason you move this far back into the lottery is because you get two quality, proven players in Harris and Beverley. At picks 12 and 13, the Memphis Grizzlies could snag two valuable players, such as Alabama’s Collin Sexton, Kentucky’s Kevin Knox, or even a slight chance Duke’s Wendell Carter slides.
The Clippers are rumored to be interested in Michael Porter Jr. and are looking to move up to snag him. A jump like that would surely cost them, which is why giving up a young talent such as Tobias Harris is necessary.
Memphis Grizzlies send: Chandler Parsons, 2018 Pick No. 4
Chicago Bulls send: Robin Lopez, 2018 Picks No. 7 & No. 22 overall
Robin Lopez is a toss-in to make the money work, but it also opens up $10 million in cap space for the Grizzlies. Add that to the $8 million Mid-Level Exception that Memphis has in their aresenal, they will be able to make the best run at Tyreke Evans returning, plus another player.
The Bulls would only make this deal if they are convinced that one of the players they love is not going to be available at No. 7 and they feel the need to make the jump. Memphis only falls back three spots which could be Wendell Carter territory or being lucky for someone like Trae Young or Jaren Jackson Jr. falling on Draft Night.
Pick No. 22 gets even more fun when looking at the prospects of someone by the likes of Villanova’s Dante DiVincenzo or Duke’s Grayson Allen. Memphis takes on two years of Robin Lopez, but allows flexibility in Free-Agency.
Next: Expect Plenty of NBA Draft Trade Talks Involving Memphis
Memphis Grizzlies send: Chandler Parsons, 2018 Pick No. 4
Cleveland Cavaliers send: Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Korver, 2018 Pick No. 8
Pick No. 8 really is about as low as you would want to go in this draft. It is believed by most experts that the second-tier players in this draft stops at eight. Here, Memphis moves Parsons, gains $5 million in cap space, and stays in the top-10.
Cleveland likely only makes this move if they are convinced (it seems as if everyone else is) that LeBron James is leaving. It will definitely be time to blow it up and start over, so moving up to No. 4 allows them to make a pick to build for the future.
The Grizzlies get plenty of backcourt help and the chance to draft someone like Wendell Carter or Texas’ Mo Bamba at eight. This is the least likely of the deals, but perhaps the best for the franchise.
Deals That Do Not Make Sense
The Memphis Grizzlies should not make any deal that does not bring back either multiple players that are proven or multiple first round picks this year with a player. This franchise cannot afford to move down in the draft just to dump a contract.
Why It Helps The Grizzlies
On top of the financial reasons, Parsons just has not been on the floor enough to help the team. Two years of this is enough to show that we cannot trust him to stay on the floor consistently.
Trading Chandler Parsons could do two things:
- Bring back multiple players, to make the finances work, that are proven and healthy, plus can contribute right away.
- Clear necessary cap space to bring back Tyreke Evans AND sign someone else in 2019 (Terry Rozier anyone?!)
I would not be shocked if there was any truth to Marks’ report today. I would also not be shocked if it is just smoke from the Memphis Grizzlies to generate offers. Either way, trust nobody until June 22nd when everything is said and done. In the end, we all have our fingers crossed that the Front Office gets this one right.