The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to not miss out on free agents for a third time after getting burned by both Deron Williams and Chris Bosh. However, it is not looking hopeful for the Mavericks this time around as they compete for the same players as the Spurs, Knicks and Lakers. The Mavericks are sending out their biggest names to do some recruiting, but it might not be enough in the end.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Chandler Parsons has been spotted out in Los Angeles meeting with DeAndre Jordan who is preparing to hit free agency after seven years with the Los Angeles Clippers. Reported friction with Chris Paul has Jordan eyeing other destinations and the Mavericks are hopeful he likes the hot weather in Dallas as Parsons embraces the role of recruiter for the team.
Accquiring Jordan will not be easy. First, the Clippers can offer a contract of five years and $109 million. Any other suitor can only offer about four years and $30 million less. If Jordan wants the money, he simply stays put in Los Angeles. However, if he is looking for a change, the Mavericks could be a favorable landing spot with Dirk Nowitzki on the roster. However, Dallas has an incomplete roster as well and would need to sell Jordan on other additions. The team is losing Monta Ellis, but ESPN is reporting Parsons is recruiting Wesley Matthews for the job. They need to replace Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverley confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that Parsons is in talks with him every day about joining on to Dallas.
"I have a lot of close relationships and that's just part of my DNA and part of my personality, to talk with people and be cool with people," Parsons said, via 103.3 FM ESPN. "I have a lot of friends in this league, to be honest. Every summer or every free agency, I have no problem going out there and telling them how I feel and trying to recruit them to play for us. I'm in multiple conversations with people and seeing a lot of people, so it all comes down to what they want to do. All I can do at this point is give them advice and state the facts."
Parsons certainly does not lack for confidence in his skills to pull the best of the league to Dallas. The issue is Jordan already received a call from Kobe Bryant. Meanwhile, LaMarcus Aldridge is sitting in on a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Does Parsons or even Nowitzki have the star power to pull in the biggest names? The Mavericks could be forced to re-sign Tyson Chandler for the role while chasing second-tier free agents like DeMarre Carroll or Danny Green.