Grit-and-grind is not going away — Memphis is getting better.
The Grizzlies have been in need of shooting for years and it appears they are going to roll the dice on getting it — and hopefully some stable knees — from Chandler Parsons. For max money. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports broke the news.
Free agent Chandler Parsons is nearing agreement on a four-year, $94M max deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2016
First, this almost guarantees that Mike Conley is coming back to Memphis. They will be better next season (not contender good, but better).
Parsons was smart to opt out of the $16 million a year option with Dallas.
When healthy, Parson’s versatility is what the Grizzlies need. He can shoot from the outside (41.4 percent from three last season), put the ball on the floor, has arguably the best shot fake in the game, is a good passer, and is a solid team defender. It is everything the Grizzlies need.
The question is his health — he played 66 games two seasons ago and 61 last season because of multiple surgeries on his right knee. The Grizzlies are betting those are not chronic issues but things in the rear-view mirror of the 27-year-old. If not, this contract will be an anchor. But it’s a smart gamble by Memphis.