It wasn't just the money. Once Parsons and the agent overplayed their hand, sat out of all practices, turned down the 40.5 with supposedly more guaranteed money, and then seemed ready to sit out games when they went for another MRI after being cleared to play in the first game, Jerry ended it, right or wrong. When they came back to Jerry with hat in hand, Jerry told him his only choice was "play on the current contract" and readdress it later.
That's why Parsons is gone. Both sides were stubborn and foolish, but the Parsons team overplayed their hand when they really had no leverage but to sit out games while collecting paychecks; when that wasn't going to happen and Jerry said play on the current deal, Parsons and Co. decided to take the money and run. I'll bet this agent won't play it the same way with Pickens, and if he has a good start to the season, I'll bet Jerry will try to extend him during the season. If Pickens is successful and wants to be here, he will be. The agent doesn't want another fiasco like Parsons in Dallas. Most of us never even knew what this guy looked like till now; he's been in damage control mode while Jerry has been in making chicken salad out of chicken poop mode.