The Houston Rockets are taking a huge risk while trying to clear cap space to land either LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Marc J. Spears is reporting that the Rockets have told Parsons they won’t be picking up his fourth year option.
The Rockets have told Chandler Parsons they have officially declined his 4th-year option next season thus making him a RFA, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) June 28, 2014
The Rockets hold a $960,000 option on the fourth and final year of Parsons’ contract for the 2014-’15 season. Rockets brass badly want to avoid letting Parsons, 25, become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
As a restricted free agent, the Rockets can match an any offer sheet and retain Parsons to that long-term contract. Parsons averaged 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Rockets this past season.
As a former second round pick, he’s probably the most underpaid player in the league.