Cuban still good friends with Parsons following Mavs departure

Chandler Parsons' decision to sign a four-year, $94-million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies this summer in free agency hasn't tarnished his relationship with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

"I'm still good friends with Chandler," Cuban said during a recent appearance on 105.3 FM The Fan's Ben and Skin Show. "We talked about it after he signed with Memphis. We exchanged texts and stayed friends and committed to stay friends. I like him a lot but there were other things other than basketball that went into the decision. And Chandler was aware of them and he made his decision.

"We gave him some options and he went in a different direction. That was his choice and I respect it and again, I think he's a great guy and I hope he has a great season other than the four games we play him."

The 27-year-old forward declined a $15-million player option for the 2016-17 campaign to become an unrestricted free agent, his mindset being that he was worthy of a max deal. With the Mavericks focusing their attention on other players like Hassan Whiteside and Mike Conley, factored in with their reluctance to pay him huge money, Parsons ultimately elected to take his talents to the birthplace of rock 'n roll.

Dallas was perhaps justified in their apprehensions over bringing back Parsons on a max contract, as the five-year pro's right knee ended each of his seasons with the organization prematurely, bringing into question his long-term durability as one of the focal points of the offense.

Nonetheless, even though he's no longer playing in the Lone Star State, his budding friendship with Cuban remains intact.