Parsons should benefit the most from Ellis’ departure

DALLAS – No way will he say it. But the first person to pop the champagne on shooting guard Monta Ellis’ departure from the Dallas Mavericks should have been Chandler Parsons.

And with good reasons.

Sources said Ellis was genuinely uncomfortable with the three-year, $46 million free agent contract the Mavs signed Parsons to last summer. And that was one of the reasons why Ellis decided Wednesday to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Mavs.

Ellis wanted Chandler Parsons money.

Ellis was slated to earn $8.7 million next season with the Mavs. But now he’s an unrestricted free agent whom the Mavs will make no attempt to re-sign..

Now 29, Ellis believes he has statistical proof that he was more valuable to the Mavs winning 50 games and advancing to the playoffs than Parsons or any other player. Ellis was the Mavs’ primary go-to guy this past season and the player they counted on the most when they needed a clutch basket.

Overall, Ellis averaged team highs of 18.9 points and 1.9 steals per game, while Parsons averaged 15.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.

However, since Ellis was the primary ballhandler -- other than the Mavs’ point guards -- that took the ball out of Parsons’ capable hands and forced the four-year small forward into more of a spot-up shooter’s role.

And that wasn’t Parsons’ strength.

With his 6-9 height, driving skills and ability to see over the defense, the Mavs are moving forward and plan to employ Parsons more in a point favorable forward role once he recovers from offseason knee surgery. Ellis, meanwhile, must catch on with another team while hoping to secure the big payday he covets.

This story was originally published June 24, 2015 at 9:55 PM with the headline "Parsons should benefit the most from Ellis’ departure."