Chandler Parsons and the Memphis Grizzlies are parting ways much sooner than ever expected.
In what is music to most Memphis Grizzlies fans’ ears, the Chandler Parsons experiment is coming to a close rather quickly.
On Sunday afternoon, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the two sides have made their split.
Sources with @ESPN_McMahon: Chandler Parsons will leave the Grizzles indefinitely as management and his agent James Dunleavy work to structure a resolution on Parsons’ future with franchise. Sides agreed on separation Sunday. Parsons has been medically cleared since Dec. 21.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 6, 2019
Chandler Parsons appeared in Memphis’ first three regular season contests of the 2018-19 season, but has remained “out” on the injury report for the past 36 games. His season statistics consist of 5.7 points (41.2% shooting from the field), 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
There has been some movement involving Parsons’ recovery from injury over the past two weeks. Chandler and his camp have been adamant that he is healthy to play, but the Grizzlies have continued listing No. 25 as “returning from injury management.” This is a rather unusual and uncommon description for a players’ injury status.
It will be interesting to watch the next steps to making this split official. Being as Parsons claims he is healthy to play and is chomping at the bit to make a return to action, a waive-and-stretch move in the coming days makes a lot of sense.
The alternative is to have him stay away from the team while wasting away the remainder of the season, still encompassing a spot on Memphis’ roster.
This mutual decision hints that the Grizzlies are looking to salvage this season and continue to push back into playoff contention. The team currently owns a record of 18-21, which is a three-way tie between the 11th- through 13th-ranked franchises in the NBA’s Western Conference prior to Sunday’s slate of games.
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