The Denver Nuggets have roughly $30 million in cap space heading into free agency, but with so much young talent on their roster, it’s been difficult to figure out who they’re going to spend it on.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, though, Tim Connelly and Co. could have a player in mind.
“I think if Denver goes after anybody, I think [Chandler Parsons] is on their board,” Windhorst told Zach Lowe on The Lowe Post podcast on Thursday.
While Windhorst is as plugged in as anybody in the NBA, this would come as a bit of a surprise. If anything, interest in Parsons could signal a larger move elsewhere.
Parsons, who’ll be entering his sixth season in the NBA, has never been an All Star but he’s a solid player who’s likely to garner close to max money this offseason. But as a small forward, is he a better option than Danilo Gallinari, especially if he’s going to cost close to $10 million more?
He’s definitely not much healthier than Gallo; he’s missed 45 games over the last three seasons.
Even if you take Parsons’ best year, 2013-14 with the Houston Rockets, it’s hard to argue that he’s a better player than Gallo was last season:
Parsons: 16.6 points; 5.5 rebounds; 4.0 assists; 47% shooting from the field; 37% shooting from three
Gallinari: 19.5 points; 55.35 rebounds; 2.5 assists; 41% shooting from the field; 36% shooting from three
And it’s important to note that those Parsons’ numbers came before he had a “minor hybrid” microfracture surgery, an injury that’s much more severe than anything Gallo has endured, and he hasn’t matched those numbers since — he averaged 15.7 points in ’14-’15 and 13.7 points in ’15-’16.
Parsons, though, is a favorite around the league.
“He shoots well from three, and when he’s healthy he defends,” Windhorst said. “He’s a really ideal player to have. He’s a good teammate, good in the locker room. I think he’s going to get multiple offers, high.”
It wouldn’t make much sense for Connelly to trade for Parsons if Gallo was still on the team, but if Gallo is shipped off as part of a larger deal, Parsons could be his immediate replacement.