The Houston Rockets went from being a team on the verge of acquiring enough firepower to contend for an NBA championship next season to one in a semi-rebuilding mode.
Los Angeles Lakers' free-agent pursuit ends with Jeremy Lin?
And it's all Chandler Parsons' fault?
After being rejected by free agent Chris Bosh, who re-signed with the Miami Heat for a max contract, the Rockets made the curious decision of declining to match a three-year, $46 million offer sheet that the Dallas Mavericks gave to Chandler Parsons.
Even more confusing was their rationale, according to ProBasketballTalk.NBCSports.com.
Chandler Parsons predicted LeBron James would leave the Miami Heat
"We are in a better [place] to win a championship by not matching it, once Bosh goes away than by not matching it," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told "In The Loop" with Nick and Lopez on SportsRadio 610 in Houston.
So Parsons was worth the money if Bosh had signed but not worth it when Bosh passed? Parsons averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Rockets last season.
"It takes three, at least, three elite players with very little exception, throughout history, it takes three elite players and a good set of players that fit around them," Morey told the radio station. "Once Bosh said 'no' it put us into another very difficult decision of, is matching Chandler Parsons, do we have a better chance of winning a title by matching it or not matching it? That comes down to a very simple question, is (James) Harden, (Dwight) Howard, Parsons a three that can be a championship three? I actually think it can be. I think Chandler is a great player, getting better. Really, really good player, no doubt. But the question is actually: is Harden, Howard, Parsons, is that three a better championship odds than Harden, Howard and the team we can put together with a guaranteed lottery pick, trade exceptions, mid-level young team improving and continuing to be flexible? That was the very tough decision before us. But I can tell you this, in our opinion it was not close."
Parsons doesn't agree.
"Honestly, I was offended by the whole process," Parsons told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. "They publicly said that they were going out looking for a third star when I thought they had one right in front of them. I guess that's just how they viewed me as a player. I don't think I've scratched the surface of where I can be as a player and I think I'm ready for that role.
As long as the Rockets understand what Morey is saying is all that matters, apparently.
Do you agree that the Rockets are in a better position to win a championship without Chandler Parsons? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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