The worst-kept secret of the Mavericks’ offseason (other than DeAndre Jordan’s sense of commitment) is officially out of the bag.
Forward Chandler Parsons underwent some sort of arthroscopic surgery on his right knee over the summer, but there was some confusion as to whether or not the procedure was of the microfracture variety as the team only announced it as “arthroscopic surgery to address a cartilage injury in his right knee.” On Sunday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon confirmed that the surgery was indeed a “minor hybrid” microfracture operation.
Parsons, who injured the knee in Game 1 of the Mavericks’ first-round defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets last April, had the procedure on May 1, shortly after Dallas was eliminated.
MacMahon’s report also says that the surgery also included a bone marrow transplant from Parsons’ right hip as a means of regenerating the knee cartilage damage. The damage was said to be in the “best possible spot” due to it being in a non-weight bearing part of the knee. Furthermore, the report states that while Parsons has yet to receive full clearance for training camp, he remains hopeful that he will be able to play in the Mavericks’ regular season opener against the Suns on October 28.
Microfracture surgery is always tricky, even if it is performed on a supposedly friendly area in the knee, especially in a sport like basketball that involves copious amounts of jumping, running, and cutting. Recovery varies on a case-by-case basis, and even though the surgery took place nearly five months ago now, there’s no telling how Parsons, who relies a lot on off-ball movement, driving to the basket, and mobility on defense, will look post-microfracture.
The 26-year-old Parsons may be in line for more touches and playmaking opportunities with both members of last year’s Dallas backcourt, Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis, bolting the team for greener pastures this offseason. But the question now is if Parsons is physically capable of handling those greater responsibilities. With fellow starting wing Wesley Matthews also coming off major surgery to repair a torn Achilles and Dirk Nowitzki in line to see reduced minutes this season, it’s hard for Mavericks fans to get too excited about the upcoming 2015-16 campaign.
H/T theScore
