Cholet (2011) Parsons was selected by the
Houston Rockets with the 38th overall pick in the
2011 NBA draft. He played three games with French team
Cholet Basket during the
2011 NBA lockout.
Houston Rockets (2011–2014) Parsons signed with the Rockets on December 18, 2011. In the Rockets' season finale on April 22, 2012, Parsons scored a season-high 23 points against the
Miami Heat. For the season, he was named to the
NBA All-Rookie Second Team. On November 12, 2012, Parsons scored a career-high 25 points against the Heat. On November 23, he set a new career high with 31 points against the
New York Knicks. On January 24, 2014, Parsons scored a career-high 34 points and made 10 3-pointers—all in the second half—in an 88–87 loss to the
Memphis Grizzlies. He set an NBA record for 3s in a half and a franchise record for 3s in a game.
Dallas Mavericks (2014–2016) After the 2013–14 season, Parsons became a
restricted free agent. On July 10, 2014, he received a three-year, $46 million offer sheet from the
Dallas Mavericks. The Rockets declined to match the offer and Parsons signed with the Mavericks on July 15. On December 17, 2014, Parsons scored a season-high 32 points against the
Detroit Pistons. On March 8, 2015, Parsons returned to action against the
Los Angeles Lakers after a seven-game absence with a sprained left ankle. Parsons missed the final six regular-season games due to a right knee injury. He played in game one of the Mavericks' first-round playoff series against the Rockets, then missed the rest of the series with the same knee injury. Parsons returned to action in the third game of the 2015–16 season, then dealt with strict minutes restrictions for the first six weeks of the season. On January 24, 2016, he scored a season-high 31 points in a 115–104 loss to the Rockets. On March 25, he underwent successful surgery to address the torn meniscus in his right knee, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Memphis Grizzlies (2016–2019) On July 7, 2016, Parsons signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the
Memphis Grizzlies. Heading into training camp, Parsons was on light duties coming off knee surgery. He did not play in the preseason or in the first six games of the regular season. On November 6, he made his debut for the Grizzlies against the
Portland Trail Blazers, but in 22 minutes as a starter, he missed all eight of his field goals attempts. He appeared in six games for the Grizzlies before missing the next 17 with a bone bruise on his left knee, making his return to the line-up on December 21 against the
Detroit Pistons. On March 13, 2017, he was ruled out indefinitely after he was diagnosed with a partial tear of the meniscus in his left knee. He subsequently missed the rest of the season with a third knee injury in three years. On October 28, 2017, Parsons scored 24 points on 9 of 11 from the field and 6 of 8 from 3-point range in a 103–89 win over the
Houston Rockets. Parsons' 24 points were his best in 39 games with Memphis. Chandler had an extended stint on the sidelines between late December and mid-February due to right knee soreness. Despite only appearing in 36 games during the 2017–18 season, Parsons shot a career-best 42% from 3-point range. Parsons earned a starting spot for the 2018–19 season out of training camp, but only played in the first three games before being sidelined with right knee soreness. By the close of December, Parsons was still sidelined by order of the organization despite having been medically cleared to return on December 21. The Grizzlies were keen for Parsons to spend time in the
NBA G League with their affiliate team, the
Memphis Hustle, before deciding on returning Parsons to the active roster with the Grizzlies. Parsons had been willing to play in the G League but wanted a clearer plan and a timetable in place that would return him to the Grizzlies' active roster. On February 9, it was announced that Parsons would return to the Grizzlies after the All-Star break. On February 22, after having not played since the third game of the season, Parsons returned to the rotation, playing almost 20 minutes and scoring three points on 1-of-7 shooting in a 112–106 loss to the
Los Angeles Clippers.
Atlanta Hawks (2019–2020) On July 6, 2019, Parsons was traded to the
Atlanta Hawks for
Solomon Hill and
Miles Plumlee. Parsons was hit by a drunk driver on January 15, 2020; he had appeared in five games with the Hawks before the crash. On January 20, Parsons's attorney announced that his accident-related injuries could be career-ending. On February 5, Parsons was waived by the Hawks. On January 18, 2022, Parsons announced his retirement from the NBA. He played a total of 440 games in the NBA and averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. ==Career statistics==