The split between Chandler Parsons and the Houston Rockets was not exactly an amicable one.
The Rockets had the chance to match the Dallas Mavericks’ three-year, $46 million offer sheet for the 25-year-old small forward, who was experiencing free agency for the first time. They opted not to — a decision that left Parsons feeling a little hurt.
“Honestly, I was offended by the whole process,” Parsons told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. “They publicly said that they were going out looking for a third star when I thought they had one right in front of them. I guess that’s just how they viewed me as a player. I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of where I can be as a player and I think I’m ready for that role.
“… Throughout the whole process they pretty much told me they were going to match everything. I understand it’s a business. I understand they had to do what they thought was best for their organization. It definitely caught me off-guard a little bit.”
Parsons, who averaged 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per last season and was said to be seeking a larger offensive role, said he was won over by the Mavericks’ pursuit of him despite the fact that higher-profile free agents like Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony were still on the market at the time.
“They really showed how much they cared for me,” Parsons said. “They didn’t want me to wait for Bosh. They didn’t want me to wait for Melo. They came forward first.”
Parsons now joins Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler on a Mavericks team that finished eighth in the Western Conference last season and was eliminated in the first round by the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. The Rockets, meanwhile, filled their hole at small forward by signing Trevor Ariza to a three-year, $32 million deal.
