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The Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies have emerged as the primary competitors for free-agent forward Chandler Parsons, sources told ESPN.The Blazers offered Parsons a maximum contract worth $94.8 million over four years during a meeting in Los Angeles in the opening hours of free agency, sources said. The Grizzlies are also expected to make a max offer in a meeting with Parsons scheduled for Friday, sources told ESPNs Marc Stein.There is no chance of Parsons re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks, a source said.The divorce comes after the Mavs made it clear that they had no intention of offering a max contract to Parsons, whose two seasons in Dallas both ended prematurely because of surgeries on his right knee.The Blazers, who are aggressively attempting to make a major addition via free agency for the first time since Brian Grant left Sacramento for Portland almost two decades ago, did not hesitate to meet Parsons contractual demands.Portland owner Paul Allen, general manager Neil Olshey, coach Terry Stotts and star point guard Damian Lillard attended the meeting. A source described Parsons as really impressed with Portlands presentation, which emphasized how he would fit with the core of a young team that advanced to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs last season.Parsons has an advocate in Memphis in recently hired assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who formed a close relationship with Parsons during their time together with the Houston Rockets. Sources say point guard?Mike Conley?also wants Parsons in Memphis if Conley re-signs with the Grizzlies.The Grizzlies are the heavy favorites to keep Conley if their offer for a max contract includes the fifth year that only they can give him.Mavs owner Mark Cuban attempted to talk Parsons, his partner in last summers ultimately unsuccessful attempt to recruit center DeAndre Jordan to Dallas, into opting into the final season of the three-year, $46 million deal Parsons signed after spending his first three seasons with the Rockets. Sources say Parsons never seriously considered picking up the option, as he was confident that hed receive a significant raise and long-term deal this summer because versatile, playmaking forwards are in high demand and short supply.The Mavs responded by putting Parsons on the backburner to begin free agency, making Conley?and Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside their top targets. The Mavs met with Whiteside in New York in the opening hours of free agency and have a Friday afternoon meeting in Dallas scheduled with Conley, sources said.The Mavs also had a meeting scheduled with Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum?on Friday, but he struck a deal hours into free agency to stay in Charlotte, according to a league source.?Cuban had consistently described Parsons as a foundation piece, but sources say Dallas decision-makers reached a consensus opinion that they werent willing to take the risk of offering him a max deal.Parsons averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game during his two-year tenure in Dallas but was only able to play in one playoff game because of his knee injuries.Parsons, 27, had hybrid microfracture surgery on the knee in spring of 2015, and the rehab from that operation lasted well into the 2015-16 season. The arthroscopic operation Parsons underwent this spring to address a torn meniscus in the knee wasnt nearly as serious as the previous surgery.Sources say multiple renowned orthopedic specialists have given Parsons clearance to resume full basketball activities and expressed optimism that his knee would not prevent him from having a long, productive NBA career.Parsons averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 61 games last season, statistics skewed by a slow start as he dealt with strict minutes restrictions. He had the best statistical stretch of his five-year career in the two months before his season ended, averaging 18.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 47.7 percent from 3-point range and proving he could thrive at power forward in addition to small forward.The 6-foot-9 Parsons rare blend of perimeter shooting accuracy and ability as a creator resulted in a list of suitors that also includes the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.ESPNs Marc Stein and The Undefeateds Marc J. Spears contributed to this report.Adonis Medina Jersey .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. 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Curt Simmons Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team.Barry Cowan believes Dominic Thiem is going to be put into the bracket of a future Grand Slam winner after becoming the youngest winner of a match at the ATP World Tour Finals for seven years.Thiem kept alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals with a 6-3 1-6 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils on Tuesday. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half Thiem lost his opening group stage match against Novak Djokovic, but the Tour Finals debutant could still make the last four after seeing off unpredictable Frenchman Monfils at Londons O2 Arena. The 23-year-old will need to defeat Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic in his last group match on Thursday to reach the semi-finals. Murrays service syndrome over? Andy Murrays service syndrome may be a thing of the past It was Andy Murray who beat Fernando Verdasco as a 23-year-old back in 2009, and now the future bodes well for emerging star Thiem, says Sky Sports Tennis analyst Cowan.Ever since I saw him when he played Andy Murray in Rotterdam, Ive always seen someone whos not only got a big game but someone who is very level headed. Weve seen his progression this year, which has been exceptional, he said. A few days after meeting Jose Mourinho, Dominic Thiem declared himself the lucky one after beating Gael Monfils at the ATP World Tour Finals I thought that Thiem would have the mental edge over Monfils because Gael has lacked matches and he needs matches to play tennis under pressure.I thought Thiem showed great perseverance and its clear what a big game hes got. He going to have a very bright future.Hes going to be put into the bracket of a future Grand Slam winner. Thiem steps up to the Sky Pad to talk through his match against Monfils Cowan also underlined the importance of Thiems coach Gunter Bresnik, who has developed the young Austrians game by turning him into a Top 10 player.ddddddddddddHes had more of a sparkle to his tennis, said Cowan. I spoke to his coach Gunter Bresnik and I thought what a great coach to have. Its all about long-term. Thiem beats Monfils in London Dominic Thiem beats Gael Monfils at ATP World Tour Finals He was stressing to me even if Thiems 10-20 in the ranking, then thats fine by me. Its about improving areas of his game.If he is to become a top five player then hes got to improve his returns and serves, but those are two areas theyve targeted.Hes up to eight in the rankings now and hes still got some rough edges. Leif Shiras asks Thiem to guess the shot during his win over Monfils Thiem said it would be a shame if the single-handed backhand died during his pre-tournament conference on Friday, and although it never came as a natural element to his game, Cowan enjoys the fact it works so well for him.I love it, he said. The ability to be able to generate as much pace as he does. And of the eight finalists hes top on average speed of forehand. Heres a guy who can seriously pack a punch off both wings. I think its a seriously exciting future.Check our game-by-game coverage from all group matches at the ATP World Tour Finals in London - including Andy Murray v Kei Nishikori - on skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportstennis.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price!Also See:Thiem beats Monfils in LondonWe will get the dream finalMurrays service syndrome over?Shots to watch at the O2 ' ' '