By Adrian Wojnarowski

J une 3, 2014 10:27 PM

Yahoo Sports
Related Stories
The Houston
Rockets plan to
decline the
fourth-year option
on forward Chan-
dler Parsons' con-
tract, freeing him
to become a re-
stricted free agent
this summer,
league sources
told Yahoo Sports.
The Rockets hold
a $960,000 option
on the fourth and
final year of Par-
Apr 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons (
Report: Rockets to decline team option on Chandler
Parsons in pursuit of bigger star NBC Sports
Report: Rockets to decline Parsons' option, make
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Sources: Rockets will decline Chandler Parsons' option, making him a res... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--rockets-will-decline-chandler-par...
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sons' contract for
the 2014-'15 sea-
son, but want to
avoid letting Par-
sons, 25, become
an unrestricted
free agent next
summer. As a re-
stricted free agent
in J uly, the Rockets can match an offer sheet and retain Parsons
on a long-term contract.
The Rockets have until J une 30 to formally decline the option.
For the Rockets, there are two distinct advantages to letting Par-
sons into restricted free agency now. First, Houston is determined
to clear the necessary salary cap space this summer to chase a
third maximum contract free agent to join Dwight Howard and
J ames Harden, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Houston plans to pursue the major stars who could be available
upon opting out of deals, including Miami's LeBron J ames and
Chris Bosh, and New York's Carmelo Anthony, league sources
said. Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki is expected to be a target too.
The Rockets are pursuing Minnesota's Kevin Love in trade talks
too, and Parsons could hold sign-and-trade possibilities.
In one scenario, Houston could secure three max-out players
including Howard, Harden and a potential star free agent and
then re-sign Parsons to an extension below the max-level range.
Parsons could command in the $12 million to $13 million annual
range, league executives tell Yahoo Sports.
For Houston too, there's little motivation to let agent Dan Fegan
get Parsons into the summer of 2015 as an unrestricted free
agent. Rockets officials fear Fegan's ability to score Parsons a
monster contract on the open market. This way, Houston declines
the team option now, clearing the way for Parsons to get a bigger
payday a year sooner than scheduled. Ultimately, this could be a
better climate for Houston to negotiate an extension with Par-
sons.
Parsons has been one of the NBA's most underpaid players in his
current deal, which was signed after Houston drafted him in the
second round of the 2011 NBA draft. Parsons averaged 16.6
points and 5.5 rebounds for the Rockets this past season.
He played a significant part in the recruitment of Howard to the
Rockets and has expressed a strong desire to remain with the
franchise.

him RFA Comcast SportsNet Houston
Rockets decline Parsons' option The Sport-
sXchange
The Curious Case of Chandler Parsons Comcast
SportsNet Houston
Parsons on staying: 'would be nice' Comcast
SportsNet Houston
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