Report: Damian Lillard and the Blazers land a meeting with Chandler Parsons
Portland will reportedly pitch Chandler Parsons when free agency begins
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1 min read
Two years ago, Chandler Parsons was on the wrong end of the biggest moment in recent Portland Trail Blazers history, as Damian Lillard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer over his outstretched arm to eliminate the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Parsons and Lillard will reportedly meet again when free agency begins on Friday, as the Blazers pitch the versatile forward on joining their up-and-coming team:
Portland to meet with Dallas free agent Chandler Parsons in LA on July 1 with Damian Lillard in attendance, sources inform @clevelanddotcom.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2016
The Dallas Mavericks don't want to give Parsons a maximum contract starting at $22 million next season, per ESPN's Tim McMahon, and Parsons has made no secret about his intentions to secure one. If Portland is ready to pay him that kind of money, then he has to consider it. Beyond Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the backcourt, the Blazers are in need of playmaking. Parsons offers that, plus 3-point shooting and versatility. As long as Portland is confident that he will be healthy, then this is a great fit. Parsons' two seasons in Dallas both ended early because of knee surgeries.
ESPN's Michael Wallace reported that the Blazers would also meet with free agent center Hassan Whiteside as soon as free agency starts, and there have been reports linking them to Dwight Howard as well. The Blazers defied expectations by advancing to the second round of the playoffs after losing four starters, and they're clearly looking to sell that story to potential difference-makers now.
