04-03-2021, 03:45 PM
(04-03-2021, 02:12 PM)Tyler Wrote: My understanding is that Brunson is in an identical situation that Chandler Parsons was during his third year in Houston.Your analysis of the ramifications of being a FA in year 3 vs year 4 is accurate. But the information about Parsons is not.
Parsons was a second-rounder (pick #38) that Houston signed to a similar 4-year deal with only 3 years guaranteed. But because of the particulars of the CBA, contracts like that for second-rounders make them unrestricted FAs after year 4 but restricted FAs after year 3.
Parsons' contract was 3 years with a Team Option for year 4. Houston (for the reason you outline) chose to decline the TO.
Houston's decision-making proved to be very flawed thinking. They thought they could retain control by making him a UFA. But they failed to recognize the truth that if you aren't willing to pay the player the going market rate, RFA vs UFA is not advantage. And if you are willing to pay it when the time comes, you might as well keep them on the inexpensive salary for an extra year.