Chandler Parsons may sit out entire preseason

The Dallas Mavericks may have to wait several weeks before getting a look at what a more Chandler Parsons-centric offense looks like.

Parsons is expected to take on a larger playmaking role within head coach Rick Carlisle's offense this season, but offseason microfracture knee surgery has slowed his start to the 2015-16 season. Parsons remains limited in training camp, and there's a good chance he sits out the entire preseason.

As Parsons has long maintained, the regular-season opener on Oct. 28 is his goal.

"All along my hope is to play opening night," Parsons said Monday. "I've said that from Day 1. It all depends on how it goes and if anything happens between now and then. So I said it doesn't matter to me if I play zero preseason games, or two, three or one, as long as I'm ready for the regular season."

Parsons admitted there's still "a chance" he's not ready for opening night. He also spoke about the team's need to begin developing chemistry, a process that could be slowed due to his absence in exhibitions. Parsons figures to start alongside Dirk Nowitzki again, but the other three starting positions will be new faces, or at least faces that are new to the starting lineup.

Last season, the 26-year-old Parsons averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 38 percent on threes. The Mavericks were 2.1 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor as a result, a number that jumped to 3.5 when he played with Nowitzki.