JANUARY 7, 7:26pm: In a statement to Wojnarowski, Parsons expressed regret that he wasn’t able to finish out the 2018/19 season with the Grizzlies. According to Wojnarowski, the veteran forward wanted to keep practicing with the team, even if he wasn’t being activated for games, but the Grizz preferred to have him leave the club until a resolution can be reached.
“I am extremely disappointed that I didn’t get to finish this season alongside my teammates and the Memphis coaching staff,” Parsons told ESPN. “Unfortunately that option wasn’t presented to me.
“The Grizzlies training staff medically cleared me to play 5-on-5 in mid-December and I have been practicing with the team ever since. I will continue to work out and train until my agent and the team reach a resolution. I am ready to play and committed to getting back on the court.”
JANUARY 6, 3:58pm: Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons will leave the team indefinitely as the two sides work to structure a resolution on his future, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Parsons and team management agreed to the separation on Sunday, with the 30-year-old failing to see any playing time.
The Grizzlies still owe Parsons $38MM, which includes his 2019/20 salary of $25.1MM.
According to Wojnarowski and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Grizzlies and Parsons’ representation will work to find a trade for Parsons. So far, the Grizzlies have not been willing to include a first-round draft pick in such a trade, but they are willing to take on a longer contract in return for Parsons.
Reports indicate that the final disagreement between the two sides was regarding the possibility of a G League assignment for Parsons. According to Wojnarowski, Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace wanted Parsons to play in a couple of games with the Memphis Hustle before he would decide on returning the veteran to the active roster.
While Parsons was willing to play in the G League, he wanted a clearer timetable regarding his return to Memphis’ active roster.
Parsons has not played since exiting the Grizzlies’ third game of the season because of soreness in his right knee.
Wants the checks and the minutes. One or the other in his case, in Memphis at least
I say Raptors, take Miles spot
It would smart not to release him until the summer. Wait until they know if they want to stretch his final year or not.
They are not thinking about a buyout but about a trade, according to the article.
Of course they’ll “try” that to for the next month (Knicks tried with Noah). Once they’re doing it “with” the guys agents, it’s not encouraging. After deadline, they’ll have to make a call.
It will have to come to a buyout. Who going to trade for him unless Memphis kicks up picks. This was a joke of a contract the day it was signed
Parsons and Dillon Brooks for Otto Porter?
At least the man is trying to earn his money.
wallace was desperate and got burned, amazing he’s still got a job after making 100M mistake
He got frozen out. Memphis players were tired of hopeful comebacks.
MEM offered a #4 pick last spring to dump Parsons and got no takers. He’s only due 1.5 years now instead of 2 but their #1 may not be as good as before. I would say the trading plan will not work.
Nkilitina, Hardaway, and Lee for Parsons and 2019 1st, and 2021 1st. Seems perfect for both teams. Memphis gets players they can use immediately, thereby making the pick slightly less valuable, Knicks get a little cap relief next year, and a ton the year after. With a little finagling they could have a max slot each of the next two off seasons, to add to the picks they get. Memphis has to try to improve the roster now because they can’t trade Connely or Gasol…
I believe the Celtics own Memphis’1st rounder this year
Lakers could really use the guy with all these injuries they are dealing with.
Lol
He would play 2 games and join the rest of the IL list
They could try and send him to Kings. Kings need help at the wing and they mentioned that they are willing to take on long term deals as long as they came with a 1st round pick. They could do Parsons,1st pick for Randolph’s expiring deal. Parsons reunited with Joerger and Z-Bo finishes in Memphis.
This makes so much sense, it’ll never happen.
Grizzlies are a joke. Move ’em to Vegas!
Houston or Toronto
Knight, Melo, Chriss works IF he can play.
Memphis is trying to make the playoffs. They don’t have time to keep rehabilitating parsons and try to win. He should have taken some time in the g league. I think he just knew that players down there would show him up and prove he isn’t really valuable anymore.
Smart of him to not go down.
link to espn.com
That speculation looks increasingly valid. MEM GM Wallace says plans were offered to Parsons, including a 3game homestand with the GLeague team. That’s one reason why GLeague teams are supported, to bring back players from injuries.
So Parson’s claim of no plan offered looks slippery. He’s just a contract now, the hope of past years is gone. This is no time for unionism. Does he have no sense of obligation for all the millions thrown his way?
Memphis is unlikely to trade another 1st (since they’re already out their pick this year or in the next couple), but if they did it certainly wouldn’t be unprotected. Selling 25 mm of cap space for 1 year doesn’t fetch anything close to that, even last summer, which was probably the best seller market in history. In Memphis’ case, they won’t have much cap space next summer either way, and they shouldn’t run into a tax issue on the other end, so why trade a pick?
The G League is better than da D league