Replacing Chandler Parsons: Kent Bazemore?

 

 

Chandler Parsons has caused quite the stir among MFFL’s all over. It started when he opted out of his final year to become a Free Agent for Summer Sixteen. Then, after being quoted as saying he would be “All ears” when it came to hearing offers from teams, he confirmed that with a photo:

 

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A photo posted by ChandlerParsons (@chandlerparsons) on Jun 25, 2016 at 3:11am PDT

 

So, while it’s clear what he expects to do, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly leaning in going a different direction as well. Their top two targets for this summers free agency: Chandler Parsons…I mean Hassan Whiteside and Mike Conley Jr.

 

The Mavericks are expected to offer max contracts to both of them, which would mean there wouldn’t be enough money to do the same with Parsons. I’m sure the Mavericks will still attempt to woo Parsons on the idea of playing with this group, should they get them, but it’s doubtful he takes the bait. They would only be able to offer him $17 million, which is only $1 million more than he declined to play for had he opted in for the 2016-2017 season.

 

If, and I do repeat IF the Mavericks can somehow pull off one of those players mentioned below, or both (allowed to dream, right?), the Mavericks will need to look for a replacement for Parsons. They already have Justin Anderson, who will be coming into his sophomore season in the NBA, and is someone who really showed he could contribute towards the end of last season. However, I’m not sure he is quite ready for that big of a role, and it appears the Mavericks don’t think so as well.

 

They are looking at multiple options to serve as the replacement to Chandler Parsons. One of those names is Kent Bazemore, one of the more under-rated small forwards. He averaged 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season, while also knocking down 35% of his long distance attempts. He is also an excellent defender, capable of guarding multiple positions.

 

The Atlanta Hawks still claim that re-signing Bazemore is still one of their top priorities, but recent activity could suggest otherwise. The Hawks drafted Taurean Prince with their 12th pick and DeAndre Bembry with their 21st pick, which provides them with two young talents at that position. Bazemore has said that he would like to remain in Atlanta, but this could come down to what the market is set at in terms of where teams feel he fits when it comes to a contract offer.

 

I have been fully on board of this addition as soon as his name was dropped as someone the Mavericks were targeting. He has played a bench role, which is something he could still do as a sixth man option for Dallas, or assuming Parsons doesn’t re-sign with Dallas, he could definitely jump right into a starting role, and do just fine. If the Mavericks were somehow able to land Hassan Whiteside early, as he has already stated he will make his decision on opening day of free agency, the addition of Bazemore to go along with him and Wesley Matthews will provide the Mavericks with a very solid defensive unit – something they have missed for quite some time.

 

It will be interesting to see if the Mavericks are granted a meeting with Bazemore. It’s clear the Mavericks have interest. We just aren’t sure what Bazemore is thinking. Come July 1st, we will start to get an idea.