The Chandler Parsons Experiment

It was widely reported on Sunday that the Memphis Grizzlies and Chandler Parsons have agreed to part ways. While a large amount of criticism has been issued at the failed transaction, it seems like a great time to review the plight of the this small market NBA team.

When Memphis signed Parsons, they were coming off of six consecutive seasons of being eliminated by the Western Conference’s elite. The Grizzlies rode the consistency of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph to many playoff appearances in a loaded west, but they never quite had the star power to make that one extended run. Postseason losses to the Thunder, Spurs, and Warriors were piling up, but the team finally accrued some cap space to make a big move in the summer.

But we know how this goes. Memphis never quite makes it to the wish list of top free agents. Like 70% of the league, they just don’t have that type of appeal. Even with a solid roster, a well-run organization, and two all-star level talents, the NBA’s top dogs don’t even look at Memphis as a potential landing spot. So, their cap space doesn’t mean what it does for some other teams. The Grizzlies have to be creative in their roster construction and that involves significantly more risk.

Those risks include signing Mike Conley to a then record-high 5-year $153 million contract. He’s a borderline all-star when healthy and an underrated point guard in a time when the position is deep. He may not have fetched that much from another team, but small market Memphis cannot afford to let him search for those offers. Had he opted to leave, they’d become an immediate lottery team, as evidenced by his injury last season.

That brings us to Chandler Parsons. He was also a free agent in the summer of 2016 and even with his injury history, his potential was too much to pass up. He came in as a long 6’ 10” swingman with range, bounce, and attitude. His presence on the Grizz was supposed to make them a true contender instead of the fringe status they enjoyed all those years. All they lacked those years was legitimate scoring option on the wings. So Memphis took the risk, they signed Parson to a 4-year deal worth about $90 million before anybody else had a chance to woo him.

Again, the risk was worth it when you consider the alternative. Parsons was a proven veteran with legitimate scoring prowess. Had the Grizz scoffed him in free agency they’d have been relegated to the draft and veteran minimum options.

There’s a version of this story where Parsons overcomes his two knee surgeries and lifts the squad to new heights. That never materialized, but the small possibility that it could go right is worth it for a team that is already forced to live off the gamble of the NBA draft. For now, Chandler is gone, and the Grizzlies are sliding down the Western Conference standings. It won’t be long before they begin building around their 19-year old rookie, Jaren Jackson Jr.