The Houston Rockets are off to a solid start after signing Dwight Howard in the offseason and now with Omer Asik on the trading block, the team has numerous questions coming about the future of the roster and one player that will get some focus is Chandler Parsons, as he could end up a restricted free agent come next offseason.
Parsons has developed into one of the best complimentary players in the NBA and he has worked well with James Harden in the Rockets offense, but depending on how things go, he could end up a restricted free agent in 2014 and that means he could potentially leave the franchise. According to the Houston Chronicle, there is a chance that the team could decline Parsons' option for next season and that would make him a free agent, but the team could match any deal he signs. The team likely will accept the option at under $1 million, but the bigger issue is whether Parsons and his agent will ask for an extension or a long term deal of some sort and that could include a decline on the option.
Parsons is averaging 17 points, three assists and five rebounds per game this season and he has been an excellent draft pick for the team and he may want a bit of a raise after a couple solid years with the team. Parsons' agent also reps Dwight Howard and while that doesn't always mean much, he looks like a major piece for the Rockets going forward and they will not want him going elsewhere. Parsons played through pain in the first week of the season and averaged over 20 points and now he comes in at the end of his rookie deal and the 25-year-old may want some financial security.
The tough move for the Rockets is also the prospect of picking up the option and letting him become a free agent the next season, as he easily could do that if he is swayed by another team. At least if he is restricted, the Rockets can match any offer and the question may end up being, pay a little bit more now than maybe Parsons is worth to ensure he stays, or pay more later with the prospect of him leaving. Parsons is a solid three point shooter and a compliment to Harden and he could end up going somewhere else based on how well he has played the past couple years.
"I'm dealing with all sorts of things," said Parsons to the Houston Chronicle. "When the ball goes up, I put all that aside. The spacing really has been great. The floor is much more open. Dwight (Howard) is doing a great job getting to the short corner when we're driving, and the driving lanes are much wider."
