Former Rockets forward Chandler Parsons said Monday that he was “offended” that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not consider him to be the third star he sought as he happily moved on to the Mavericks a day after the Rockets chose not to match his contract to keep him.

Parsons later did not back off the comments, saying he was not sorry he made them, but he also cited praise for Morey that he had included in his comments and emphasized “I meant no disrespect.” Parsons said in a separate interview that he expected to be back in Houston and had been told the Rockets would match the offer sheet prior to reaching the deal with Dallas that the Rockets ultimately chose not to match.

“Honestly, I was offended by the whole process,” Parsons told Yahoo Sports on Monday. “They publicly said that they were going out looking for a third star when I thought they had one right in front of them. I guess that’s just how they viewed me as a player. I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of where I can be as a player and I think I’m ready for that role.

“You can’t knock them for always trying to get better. Daryl Morey is very aggressive, is a genius, a great GM and I have nothing but respect for those guys. And they are looking to make their team better. That’s what they were doing. I just thought I could be that guy that could do that.”

Parsons said Monday that he was surprised that fans were upset, saying that he only meant that he believed he was capable of being the star the Rockets wanted.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Parsons said. “I’m very thankful that the Rockets did this a year early. I said many times that I have nothing but love and respect for the organization. I just took offense to them not viewing me as a star moving forward. I just think I’m on the cusp of being a really good player in this league. I work extremely hard. I’m going to continue to get better and better.

“That was the only thing that bothered me, them saying they needed a third piece to win a championship when I viewed myself as that and did everything for the organization to be that guy. That’s why I was so excited about Dallas because talking to Mark (Cuban) and Rick (Carlisle), that’s how they view me. I hope there’s no hard feelings in Houston. I had to make the best decision for my career.”

Parsons said that after he signed, the Rockets said they were unsure if they would match the offer, but would keep him if they also signed Chris Bosh. He said Daryl Morey encouraged him to get the best deal that he could.

Parsons signed a three-year, $46 million offer sheet with the Mavericks that the Rockets chose not to match, believing that it would keep them from making additional significant moves to improve the team.

“I was under the impression that Houston was going to match and they didn’t,” Parsons said. “I had a conversation with Daryl leading up to it expected him to match. There’s no hard feelings. He had to do what he thought was best and I had to do what I thought was best. He basically told me, ‘You earned this. You worked extremely hard. You’re going to get paid a lot of money. Get the contract that’s best for you.’

“I did that. That was a disappointing thing. The whole time they told me to sign the best contract for your career, but know we’re going to match and you’re going to be back here.’ Then I signed the contract and it was are they going to match and they were undecided.

“I wasn’t trying make anybody mad. I was trying to do what was best for my career. Houston has a special place in my heart. I did think Houston would match, but they didn’t.”

In a radio interview on Monday, Morey said that “If you want to win the title, you have to be the team that finds the Chandler Parsons, not the team that gives Chandler Parsons the max contract.”

In three seasons with the Rockets, Parsons averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, making 47.3 percent of his shots. The longest tenured Rockets player last season, he became a starter in his ninth game as a rookie and was team captain last season.

Parsons, however, said the Mavericks showed him that he was their priority, as opposed to the Rockets who had pursued Chris Bosh after both teams had Carmelo Anthony in for recruiting visits.

“They really showed how much they cared for me,” Parsons said. “They didn’t want me to wait for Bosh. They didn’t want me to wait for ‘Melo. They came forward first.

“Dallas is the perfect match to where I am in my career,” Parsons said. “It’s where I can take that next step. They have a great organization. Mark is the best owner in all of sports. I get a chance to play with Dirk for however much longer he has. It will be unbelievable to learn and grown from him and the guys they have.

“We got a chance to win. Coach [Rick] Carlisle is the best coach in the NBA. It’s the perfect situation for me. I’m ready for more leadership. I’m ready for a bigger role. They came at me with a high max offer and viewed me as a franchise player. That’s what I wanted.”