Report: Rockets to decline Chandler Parsons' fourth year

Tadd Haislop

Report: Rockets to decline Chandler Parsons' fourth year image

Chandler Parsons is a good player, and now his salary might reflect his skill. 

The Rockets plan to decline the fourth-year option on Parsons' contract, league sources tell Yahoo! Sports.

MORE: Heat "Big Three" starting over? | Knicks keeping Melo, eyeing Pau Gasol?

It's not that Houston doesn't want the small forward — Parsons will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Rockets can match other offers for retention in hopes to sign a long-term deal.   

Parsons, who averaged 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds this season, wants to stay in Houston, but he could be used as sign-and-trade bait as the Rockets look to find a third max-deal player to compliment James Harden and Dwight Howard, according to reports.

If Houston did pick up Parsons' $960,000 option, he'd become an unrestricted free agent after next season and could walk for nothing. This way, the Rockets can negotiate a contract with the 6-foot-9-inch Florida product without having to worry about being outbid.  

Tadd Haislop

Tadd Haislop is the Associate NFL Editor at SportingNews.com.