Mavericks’ Backup Plans For Chandler Parsons

Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Saturday and still no word if the Houston Rockets will match the Dallas Mavericks’ offer sheet for Chandler Parsons.

According to Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets will wait till the last second to notify the Mavs of their intentions.

While we play the waiting game, we look at possible backup options incase the Rockets do match the offer.

Sameer Moosa: Trevor Ariza. He has a better three-point shot than any other plan B small forward target for the Mavs, he can defend elite forwards and he is still in his prime. Best replacement for Marion. Deng is good but not as much offensively, and he’s probably washed up from playing so many minutes. Stephenson would just cause trouble and play inconsistently.

Brian Gosset: I know a lot of fans are against it, but my guy has always been Lance Stephenson. He’s so much better than Ariza and Deng and if all three are worth 12-15 million, Mavs are better off paying it for Stephenson. Deng use to be worth that much, but health is an issue. What if he misses 20, 30 games? Lance is durable and can contribute all across the board. He can space the floor and guard the opposition’s best player while playing all three guard positions.

I’m not comfortable with the Mavs paying that much for Ariza, who is a top-notch player, but really hasn’t made any noise. Despite all his childish antics, I truly believe that Rick and Mark can shape Stephenson into an elite player. I still think they need a true backup center, go get Birdman. Fans feel the same about him like Lance, he’s crazy, wife beater, what have you, but as I said in my post, he’s a good backup to Tyson. Can be intimidating and adds spark and energy, but that’s my dark horse/surprise pick since no news has broken about the two sides. Here’s my thoughts on who the Mavs priorities are: Lance, Ariza, Deng.

Bailey Rogers: First, I’m not giving up on Parsons yet. Until Morey starts wheeling and dealing, I’m still acting as if Parsons will be a Mav, and no one will bum me out about this.

In the alternative, finding a way to get two of the following would be ideal: Isaiah Thomas, Lance Stephenson, or Deng/Ariza. By which I mean, you have to get one of Deng or Ariza, because you need a SF. But Thomas and Stephenson are both intriguing options that could work next to Monta. Lance is my first choice. He’s crazy, but also crazy talented. A Monta-Lance-Deng/Ariza-Dirk-Tyson lineup would be really really good.

Austin Garuiya: The Mavs need to focus their efforts on Lance Stephenson. I know the front office doesn’t believe he fits their culture, but they’re not in a position where they can pass up a 23-year old with that kind of talent. With the Bosh to Houston move imminent, it become even more important for the Mavs to collect talent. The Mavs might only be the fourth best team in their division. They need to add more game-changing talent to have any shot in the ridiculous west. Sign Stephenson and let Carlisle figure out the fit; he’s a wizard at that kind of stuff.

Winston Zhang: In terms of accumulating talent, I agree with Austin. Lance is the most talented of the remaining free agents. But it really doesn’t feel like a Mavs-y move at all to go for him, so I anticipate them moving for Deng or Ariza instead.

Or hey, how about Lamar Odom? He just got waived by the Knicks (LOL).

Ace Feltman: Gordon Hayward…is back with the Jazz. So he’s off the table, granted he was never on it.

The Mavericks are sitting pretty to put together a squad resembling the 2011 championship squad. Compared to the past three seasons it’s for sure the closest resemblance.

No Eddy Curry‘s or Chris Douglas-Roberts or Troy Murphy‘s or D-League rotations at backup point guard.

The popular belief is the Deng/Ariza route with Lance Stephenson being thrown around and Monta potentially starting at point guard or being moved.

My crazy Ace idea is to pursue Eric Bledsoe. The Suns just signed and traded for Isaiah Thomas and drafted Tyler Ennis and Bogdan Bogdanovic, but they say they still want to bring back Bledsoe and yes they can still afford to do so.

However a lucrative offer like the one given to Parsons that will now likely be matched by Houston after Chris Bosh realized he’d be teaming up with DerWight Howard.

As much as I absolutely love (my favorite player) Devin Harris, I do not believe he’s starter on a contender.

If magic Mark and Dealing Donnie can’t find takers for Raymond Felton (player option just under 4 mill in 15-15) and/or Brandan Wright‘s contract (expiring 5 mill) then perhaps use the stretch provision to spread out chunks of Felton’s salary and pay it over the next couple seasons while we still have a prime-esque God of Fadeaway leading the way.

Eric Bledsoe is a game changer and there would still be money to search around the SF market for someone like a Paul Pierce and Shawn Marion.

A lot of excitement — and intrigue — and holding of the breath continues!