Chandler Parsons didn’t quite live up to the three-year, $46 million contract he signed last summer in his first season with the Dallas Mavericks. If his free agent recruiting prowess proves as influential as it has in the past, though, we’re pretty sure Mark Cuban will forgive him.
According to Arash Markazi of ESPN, Parsons’ recent involvement in the DeAndre Jordan sweepstakes has made Dallas a legitimate destination for the star big man as he decides whether or not to leave the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sense from some is DeAndre Jordan race is now even between Clippers and Mavs. It was "90-10" for the Clippers before Parsons got involved.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 2, 2015
This wouldn’t be the first time Parsons’ presence has helped convince a high-flying center to leave Southern California for Texas. Two summers ago, he was instrumental in Dwight Howard deciding to spurn the Los Angeles Lakers for the Houston Rockets. And if recent momentum is any indication, a similar development could take place this July.
Five dinners is quite a commitment, right? Via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon:
I believe this is the fifth straight night that Chandler Parsons dined with DeAndre Jordan.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2015
The Mavericks’ contingent pitched Jordan on Wednesday, and supposedly left the summit feeling good about their chances to bring him to Dallas. But the First Team All-Defense honoree has yet to meet with the Clippers, and many believe Doc Rivers could be the ultimate trump card in his decision.
Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Jordan is set to sit down with Los Angeles Thursday evening, hours after hosting the long-shot New York Knicks.
DeAndre Jordan will meet the #Knicks today at noon CDT and the #Clippers tonight at 7. The #Mavs really, really need this guy. #Really
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) July 2, 2015
Considering the Clippers’ potential standing in the Western Conference hierarchy compared to the Mavericks’, it still seems most likely that Jordan will remain with the only franchise he’s ever known. That Paul Pierce has already signed with Los Angeles supports that notion, too; we’re skeptical he’d have agreed to join the team if not confident the Clippers’ center would stay put.
Obviously, though, it’s far too early to count out Dallas – and Parsons might be the biggest reason why.
[Via Arash Markazi, Tim MacMahon, Dwain Price]
