In his first season with the Dallas Mavericks, Chandler Parsons was just as productive as they hoped he would be. The team sort of crumbled towards the end of the season, but that wasn't Parsons fault, as he was unable to contribute in the playoffs due to a knee injury. Parsons had knee surgery this offseason and has been rehabbing that injury, trying to get back on the court. Parsons reportedly was on the court for the first time since the surgery earlier this week and expects to be back for opening night, according to Earl K. Snead of Mavs.com.
It is unknown exactly what kind of surgery Parsons had, as he did not disclose it, but many have assumed it was micro-fracture surgery. Parsons was at a team work out on Wednesday but did not participate. Parsons has been lifting heavy weights with his surgically repaired leg and getting shots up but has yet to resume running.
Parsons still has a little less than a month until training camp starts and almost two months until opening night, so a return for game one doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. Having said that, micro-fracture surgery, if that's what he had, is serious, and the Mavericks would be wise to proceed with caution. Parsons is signed for through 2016-17 at more than $15 million a year, so the Mavericks definitely want to protect that investment long-term.
Parsons isn't the only Maverick in doubt for opening night, as Wesley Matthews is also working his way back from a major injury (ruptured Achilles), but he too thinks he will be back for opening night. Parsons and Matthews are expected to be Dallas' starters on the wings, and their play will be a huge factor in how the season goes for the Mavericks.
Last year with the Mavericks, Parsons was very good, averaging 15.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. Parsons played less minutes last year than he had in his Houston Rockets days but still put up similar numbers to his career averages. Parsons may not be back for opening night, but he is hopeful of that and even if he isn't, he will be key for Dallas this upcoming season.
