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.
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The Rockets have told Chandler Parsons they have officially declined his 4th-year option next season thus making him a RFA, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) June 28, 2014It'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.