Of all the NBA offseason activities occurring this summer regarding former Florida basketball players, Chandler Parsons’ new deal stands above all.
The soon to be four-year small forward decided to take up the Dallas Mavericks three-year, $46 million offer on July 10 after the Houston Rockets failed to match it.
With the new contract, Parsons became the highest paid player per year ($14.7 million) on the Mavericks roster after power forward Dirk Nowitzki signed a reduced deal to clear up cap room for the team.
Parsons, a Casselberry, Fla., native, is a rising star in the league and finished his stint with Houston on the rise.
The 6-foot-9, 227-pound forward elevated his game last season to new heights by setting career averages in points (16.6), free-throw percentage (.742), rebounds (5.5) and assists (four).
The former Gator filled the Rockets’ starting forward position with 37.6 minutes per game, leaving Houston to fill a big void.
Rockets center Dwight Howard believes losing him won’t hurt the team. However, Parsons was the third-leading scorer on the squad last season.
He will arrive in Dallas alongside other offseason acquisitions like Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.
Miller rejoins LeBron in Cleveland: After winning back-to-back titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, Mike Miller will become teammates with LeBron James once again.
Miller was heavily recruited by James and then signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Cavaliers, which adds to the depth in the newly developing roster this offseason.
The 34-year-old veteran spent last season with the Memphis Grizzlies averaging 7.1 points in a reserve role, but he shot 45.9 percent from the three-point arc.
The three-point specialist has been known throughout his career as a shooting threat, and he can add his expertise to a franchise desperately seeking playoff presence.
Miller also had interest in other teams, including the Denver Nuggets.
Beal joins Team USA camp roster for FIBA World Cup: Out of a 19-man training camp roster Team USA has compiled, Bradley Beal is the lone Wizards representative.
Beal has an opportunity to land on the permanent 12-man team that will compete during the FIBA Basketball World Cup starting Aug. 30 in Spain.
The training camp will run through July 28 to Aug. 1 in Las Vegas where Beal can work for a roster spot against stars like Kevin Durant and James Harden.
After edging out teammate John Wall on the roster, Beal will battle alongside former Gator Chandler Parsons as they headline past Florida greats.
But it won’t be easy for either player to make the roster.
Durant, Harden, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis all played on the USA team that won gold in the 2012 Olympics in London.
In addition, players like Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry and Paul George all look to have a guaranteed spot due to their elevated play on the court.
Beal’s chances can be limited to a few due to veteran players, leaving the Wizards guard with no choice but to deliver.
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Houston Rockets’ Chandler Parsons (25) shoots a three-point shot as Memphis Grizzlies’ Tayshaun Prince watches on Jan. 24 in Houston.
