Chandler Parsons is one of the top free agents on the market and the Minnesota Timberwolves may try and acquire him in a Kevin Love trade with the Houston Rockets, while other teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks are also interested in giving the restricted free agent an offer sheet.
Parsons is one of the second tier free agents on the market past big names like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but he could have as big of an impact depending on where he signs. According to ESPN.com, the Houston Rockets still want to sign Parsons back on a contract and the team is waiting to see how the Carmelo Anthony situation plays out before making any moves. The Rockets have a limited amount they can spend until that is resolved and the team also reportedly has a Jeremy Lin trade ready to go once those dominoes start to fall.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Mavericks and Timberwolves have shown interest in Parsons, with Minnesota potentially looking at him in a deal for Kevin Love. Yahoo first reported the news and sources said that depending on how the rest of free agency shakes out for teams like the Rockets and Bulls, the Wolves could look at getting Parsons in a deal for Love in a sign and trade. The team is waiting out what happens with Carmelo Anthony and they still are also engaged in talks with the Golden State Warriors about a potential deal involving Love and Klay Thompson.
The Rockets came into the offseason with a major decision on Parsons, as they could have kept him on a cheap deal with a player option at less than $1 million. If they did pick up his option though, Parsons would be an unrestricted free agent after next season and that could have meant he would leave for nothing, even if it gave the Rockets time to hammer out a long term contract. The team took a risk in declining the option and making him a restricted free agent, but they feel this was the better way to sign him, since they have the right to match offers for him.
Parsons had his best season in the pros last year with 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists per game for the Rockets and GM Daryl Morey is looking to keep him long term. The team drafted him in the second round and helped shape him into the player he is now and they would like to not lose him for nothing. The team has control since he is an RFA and they will try and work out a deal if they can't get him back on their own.
The Rockets made the playoffs last season in the first year with Dwight Howard and the team was upset in the first round by the Blazers. The team wants to add Anthony as a free agent and if that doesn't work out, the Rockets may sign Parsons, or explore a deal involving him. The Timberwolves have Love and they could hold onto him until next season and then trade him at the deadline.