Big money for Chandler Parsons brings big problems for the Rockets
Really should have seen this coming. After all, the Rockets have been extremely lucky when it comes to personal decisions the past two years. Between the straight up robbery trade with OKC for James Harden in 2012, then followed by the miracle signing of Dwight Howard in 2013, we fans have been living the good life. Until today. Sigh.
Funny thing is, there really isn't anyone to blame for this situation. As an NBA player, Parsons only has 10-15 years to maximize his earning potential, so reaching for the most money was a no-brainer. The Rockets declined Parsons' fourth year option on his rookie deal in order to A) free up money to chase after free agents this offseason and B) to avoid letting the 25 year old starter become a unrestricted free agent next year. While the Mavericks are doing everything possible to get Dirk another shot at a ring (and if they screw the Rockets in the process, bonus!)
I guess the question boils down to is Chandler Parsons worth the money? Let's check the numbers:
| Season | Age | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | 2P | 2PA | 2P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 23 | 3.9 | 8.7 | .452 | 1.0 | 2.8 | .337 | 3.0 | 5.9 | .507 | 0.7 | 1.2 | .551 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 9.5 |
| 2012-13 | 24 | 6.0 | 12.4 | .486 | 2.0 | 5.2 | .385 | 4.0 | 7.2 | .559 | 1.5 | 2.0 | .729 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 15.5 |
| 2013-14 | 25 | 6.3 | 13.3 | .472 | 1.8 | 4.7 | .370 | 4.5 | 8.6 | .528 | 2.2 | 3.0 | .742 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 16.6 |
| Career | 5.5 | 11.6 | .473 | 1.6 | 4.3 | .370 | 3.9 | 7.3 | .534 | 1.5 | 2.1 | .705 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 14.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
| Salary | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Player | Tm | 2014-15 ▾ | ||
| 1 | Kobe Bryant | LAL | $23,500,000 | ||
| 2 | Amar'e Stoudemire | NYK | $23,410,988 | ||
| 3 | Joe Johnson | BRK | $23,180,790 | ||
| 4 | Dwight Howard | HOU | $21,436,271 | ||
| 5 | Chris Paul | LAC | $20,068,563 | ||
| 6 | Deron Williams | BRK | $19,754,465 | ||
| 7 | Rudy Gay | SAC | $19,317,325 | ||
| 8 | Kevin Durant | OKC | $18,995,624 | ||
| 9 | Derrick Rose | CHI | $18,862,875 | ||
| 10 | Blake Griffin | LAC | $17,674,612 | ||
| 11 | Carlos Boozer | CHI | $16,800,000 | ||
| 12 | Zach Randolph | MEM | $16,500,000 | ||
| 13 | LaMarcus Aldridge | POR | $16,006,000 | ||
| 14 | Marc Gasol | MEM | $15,829,688 | ||
| 15 | Brook Lopez | BRK | $15,719,063 | ||
| 16 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | $15,719,062 | ||
| 17 | Kevin Love | MIN | $15,719,062 | ||
| 18 | David Lee | GSW | $15,012,000 | ||
| 19 | Eric Gordon | NOP | $14,898,938 | ||
| 20 | Roy Hibbert | IND | $14,898,938 | ||
| 21 | James Harden | HOU | $14,728,844 | ||
| 22 | Tyson Chandler | DAL | $14,598,888 | ||
| 23 | John Wall | WAS | $13,701,250 | ||
| 24 | DeMarcus Cousins | SAC | $13,701,250 | ||
| 25 | Paul George | IND | $13,701,250 | ||
| 26 | Al Jefferson | CHA | $13,666,667 | ||
| 27 | Josh Smith | DET | $13,500,000 | ||
| 28 | Nene Hilario | WAS | $13,000,000 | ||
| 29 | Andrew Bogut | GSW | $12,972,973 | ||
| 30 | Rajon Rondo | BOS | $12,909,091 | ||
| 31 | Derrick Favors | UTA | $12,833,333 | ||
| 32 | Tony Parker | SAS | $12,500,000 | ||
| 33 | Serge Ibaka | OKC | $12,350,000 | ||
| 34 | Andre Iguodala | GSW | $12,289,544 | ||
| 35 | Joakim Noah | CHI | $12,200,000 | ||
| 36 | Nikola Pekovic | MIN | $12,100,000 | ||
| 37 | David West | IND | $12,000,000 | ||
| 38 | Kevin Garnett | BRK | $12,000,000 | ||
| 39 | Al Horford | ATL | $12,000,000 | ||
| 40 | Nicolas Batum | POR | $11,765,500 | ||
| 41 | Ty Lawson | DEN | $11,595,506 | ||
| 42 | Andrea Bargnani | NYK | $11,500,000 | ||
| 43 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | $11,440,124 | ||
| 44 | JaVale McGee | DEN | $11,250,000 | ||
| 45 | Larry Sanders | MIL | $11,000,000 | ||
| 46 | Danilo Gallinari | DEN | $10,854,850 | ||
| 47 | Tyreke Evans | NOP | $10,763,500 | ||
| 48 | Stephen Curry | GSW | $10,629,213 | ||
| 49 | Gerald Wallace | BOS | $10,105,855 | ||
| 50 | Tim Duncan | SAS | $10,000,000 | ||
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Last set of numbers, I promise you. Last Wednesday, the NBA announced that the salary cap and the luxury tax threshold for the upcoming year will be at all-time highs. More money in the pot equals bigger contracts for the middle class of free agents. $46 million over 3 years (with a player op-out after year 2) may seem like an overpay now, but trust me it could have been much, much worse.
Is Chandler Parsons a great player? No not yet, but he definitely has room to grow into an All-Star and third best player on a team with champion aspirations. He's worth the contract and the Rockets should not hesitate to match the offer. And besides....
How can you say no to that face?
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