Happy Free Agency Eve #MFFL’s! Well, technically it’s the day of for all of us not on Eastern Standard Time, but you get my drift. I woke up today full of excitement, as I typically do at this time of the off-season. I also had a feeling of nausea, as the last few summers have been gut wrenching when it comes to the success, or lack thereof, that the Dallas Mavericks have had in Free Agency.
Needless to say, I quickly checked my Twitter timeline to see if we had any big updates or news. Sure enough. Not only are the Grizzlies saying that they believe wholeheartedly that they will bring back Mike Conley Jr., but they are also pursuing Chandler Parsons to boot. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers are getting in the mix for the small forward as well. It’s safe to bet the following:
Chandler Parsons WILL get a MAX deal very soon.
I got ready for the gym, as I do every morning, and eventually got my day started with my daily workout. As I’m sitting there at the gym, listening to the song “Running Up That Hill” by Placebo, I realize that I’m listening to lyrics that describe how every MFFL feels when it comes to Free Agency.
It doesn’t hurt me.
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn’t hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I’m making?
You be running up that hill
You and me be running up that hill
It hits me. While Plan ‘A’ consists of signing Hassan Whiteside and Mike Conley Jr. to max contracts, could there be a better option out there that we are overlooking? Can we really pry Conley away from Memphis. If Memphis agrees to give Conley that fifth year, which no other team has the option of doing, it seems highly likely that Conley stays. It’s also just as likely that Memphis will get the final meeting with Conley after he meets with Dallas and the other teams he has interest in.
Let’s look at this way. Free Agency is a game of timing. It’s not necessarily the teams that have the first meetings that snag the player, but the one who makes the best pitch. Would you pass up that fifth year ($33 million)? By the time Conley and Memphis decide if that will be the route, other players could be gone, like Chandler Parsons. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that if the Mavericks were to offer Parsons a max contract, and inform him of this today, he would give them his word. I don’t think he wants to leave. He just wants to get what he thinks he deserves.
Let’s say you get that word from Parsons and head into that first meeting with Whiteside. He has said that he wants to make his decision on July 1st, day 1 of Free Agency. One would say Miami still has a good chance to keep the big man, but let me ask you this. If Miami is meeting with Kevin Durant on Sunday (which has been confirmed), how can they sign Whiteside to an offer tomorrow if they don’t know where they stand with Durant. Whiteside has also said he wants to be the top priority, which is something the Mavericks are clearly doing. He wants a max, and the Mavericks have been reported as ready to offer just that.
So the question has to be asked. Would you rather stick to Plan ‘A’ and miss out on a guy like Parsons or some other big name – or – snag Parsons and Whiteside to pair along with Wes Matthews and Dirk Nowitzki, and then round out the roster?
The Mavericks have swung for the fence and missed every year dating back to 2011, so one should really ask themselves if they are willing to do it yet again, or go with Plan B and still be formidable next season.
Your move Mr. Cuban.
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