Memphis Grizzlies have finally managed to move forward Chandler Parsons. According to ESPN‘s sources, Grizzlies have traded Parsons to Atlanta Hawks, who will send Solomon Hill and Miles Plumlee in the opposite direction.
Grizzlies and Parsons have reportedly worked on a buyout agreement in the past days, but couldn’t reach a deal that would satisfy both sides. The 30-year-old still has one year left on his four-year, $94 million, contract from 2016. Although it seemed like a good decision then, Parsons struggled to stay healthy since signing the deal and has managed to play only 95 games in the previous three seasons.
By swapping Parsons for Hill and Plumlee, Memphis is hoping to have a better chance moving two smaller contracts. The duo is in the final years of their contracts, and are owed $12.8 million and $12.5 million respectively.
Hawks, on the other side, opened a roster spot with the trade while also betting on Parsons to bounce back after an injury-riddled season. If this doesn’t turn out to be the case, Atlanta is also willing to work out a buyout with the player.
Parsons started the 2018/19 seasons as the Grizzlies’ starting forward but ended up playing only three games before being sidelined with knee soreness. Memphis tried to trade him in February but were unwilling to find a suitor for him, so Parsons ended up returning to the rotation after All-Star break. He finished the season averaging 7.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
