Houston Rockets: The End of the Chandler Parsons Project?

July 1st is upon us…

Time has wore on, rumors are flying and our scrappy small forward, who has now made a name for himself, is in the midst of the back-fence talk for the upcoming free agency season.

Is this the end of The Chandler Parsons Project as we know it?

Chandler Parsons is now a Restricted Free Agent and there are a slew of suitors rumored to be vying for his services.

The Houston Rockets have decided to not pick up the fourth-year option on Parsons automatically upgrading his status to an RFA.

Parsons, 25, would’ve made $964,750 this season but things are trending in the direction of him receiving a tremendous payday for his services.

According to a report by Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this month, he could fetch between $12 to $13 million annually which is a stark contrast to what he’s making now.

Parsons is widely regarded as the third-best small forward that is a free agent this off-season, right behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, two other players that the Rockets are targeting, which is the latest word on the street.

Parsons averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 boards and four dimes while shooting 37 percent from three-point land in 74 games this past season.

Parsons remains modest about the whole thing and is just glad that he gets paid to do what he loves.

"“When I got drafted in the second round, I signed the four-year deal and everyone has to go through their rookie scale,” Parsons told Yahoo Sports. “It was all part of the process. I obviously thought I deserved more. But I never was bitter or jealous of anyone making more than me. I was just fortunate enough to do this for a living.”"

It’s extremely apparent that Daryl Morey wants to see what Parsons is currently worth on the market before tendering a fair offer to him.

Apr 4, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons (25) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Thunder 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

A restricted free agent is enabled to converse and sign with other teams but the Rockets can still match any offer that any other team makes.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, these suitors could include the Rockets, who are interested in resigning him.

The latest of the NBA grapevine has Parsons being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a sign-and-trade deal that would make Kevin Love a member of the Houston Rockets. This is all contingent on if they’re able to land Klay Thompson, another talented forward who is their first choice and who they are targeting profusely.

Parsons is their second option if their pursuit of Thompson does not bear the fruits of their labor, then they will work with the Rockets to acquire him.

The latest of the breeze being shot is that there is also interest amongst the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks to land the rising star.

I certainly hope that there’s a way to keep Parsons who has evolved into becoming a favorite for Rockets fans alike. Parsons was drafted in the 2nd Round and has worked hard to prove his worth not only with the Rockets but the entire league.