Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons will miss the rest of the 2015-16 NBA Season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. His absence will be a huge blow to the Mavericks’ playoff chances as they are only currently a half-game ahead of the ninth-place Utah Jazz in the Western Conference playoff race.
Parsons was averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists at the time of the injury. In addition, he was shooting a career-high 49.2 percent from the field as he was looking to cash-in on a brilliant season when he opts out of his contract this offseason. Even with the injury, Parsons still plans to opt out according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Chandler Parsons’ injury is not expected to impact his intention to opt out this summer or the Mavs’ determination to keep him in Dallas.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 22, 2016
As for the Mavericks, they’re going to have to get much-improved play from the rest of their roster if they’re going to make the playoffs. Without another true wing on their roster, the Mavericks will either be forced to go big and play David Lee and Zaza Pachulia more, or go small and give J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton more minutes. Either way, it’s going to be difficult for the Mavericks to cover opposing wing players.
Rick Carlisle has done a tremendous job this season helping the Mavericks overachieve, but Parsons’ injury could be too much to overcome.