I didn't think about it from that point of view, but if Pop told him the backup PG spot was for him or he could go to NY and play with Porzingod... heck I'd take NY and Porzingod over Conley's backup any day.
I also didnīt think it that way, if Pop can invent/create/or straight up lie to parker about whatever situtation, say alien invasion in san antonio or terminator coming back to kill him, that convinces parker his best option is to go to new york, then he has to do it.