6:34pm: Parsons has been diagnosed with a “partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee,” the Grizzlies announced via team press release (link). Parsons will be out indefinitely, all but closing the book on his 2016/17 campaign. GM Chris Wallace expressed his sympathy for Parsons in a written statement.
“To suffer a setback like this after working so diligently to rebound from the injury to his right knee is obviously tough. That said, we know he will continue to work tirelessly to return to the court with his teammates and contribute,” Wallace said. “Chandler has the full support of myself, Coach Fizz and the entire team and we are all focused on getting him healthy.”
6:28pm: Chandler Parsons will sit out for the second time in three games tonight due to soreness in his left knee. While injuries have plagued Parsons throughout his first season in Memphis, the team is reportedly considering shutting him down in midst of a playoff run.
According to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal, the Grizzlies are “contemplating” shutting Parsons down for the season (Twitter link). If Tillery’s report comes to fruition, it remains to be seen whether Parsons would be shut down for merely the regular season or the postseason as well.
Parsons simply hasn’t been on the court enough to have the type of impact he had with the Rockets and Mavs. After missing 24 of the season’s first 30 games due to a knee injury, Parsons has struggled in his return to the lineup. In a nine-game stretch from February 13 to March 11, Parsons averaged five points per game on 30.8% shooting.
Having inked a four-year, $94,438,523 contract over the offseason, Parsons recognizes the long-term commitment GM Chris Wallace made with him.
“I suck right now. There’s no sugarcoating it. It is what it is,” Parsons told Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Look, I signed a four-year deal. I didn’t sign a one-year deal. The team expectations for me are to go very slow. It’s going to be a long process…you see the contract I signed with the salary I make. People expect a lot better than I’m performing right now.”
He’s never been up and running, so shutting him down is a misnomer. He should just retire. He’s made an obscene amount of money doing nothing his entire career.
Shocker. I’d feel bad for the guy if it wasn’t my favorite team suffering by virtue of having signed him. Still do feel for him I guess, but the weird kind where I’m also a little pissed even though it’s not really his fault.
Whew. I’m so glad the Mavs were smart enough to leave his knee behind and sign Barnes.
I don’t understand how potential led to this contract. Same thing happened in Dallas and they got lucky he opted to sign elsewhere.
They didn’t offer him a max contract unlike Memphis
Gee, Parsons is hurt again….. Shocker! Thank God he is no longer a Maverick…..
Too bad the NBA is doing away with the amnesty clause.
He is about as fragile as they come. Still can’t believe someone offered him this contract.
Thank you Mavericks. They knew this guy was a joke. Memphis. Come on. You didn’t really think this guy was worth 94 million dollars.