Josh McRoberts Opts Out, Will Hit Free Agency

1:27pm: Cho said in a press conference today that the team hopes to re-sign McRoberts, according to the Hornets official Twitter account.

12:40pm: Josh McRoberts has turned down his player option and will become a free agent on July 1st, a source tells Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). McRoberts was slated to make more than $2.771MM next season, but his cap hold will represent $5,038,800 on Charlotte’s books unless the Hornets either renounce his rights or strike a new deal during the July moratorium.

The move from McRoberts was widely expected after a career year for the veteran of seven seasons. He notched 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists against just 1.1 turnovers per game as the starting power forward for the then-Bobcats, who made the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.

The Hornets have about $41MM in commitments for next season, not counting their pair of first-round picks, as Cray Allred of Hoops Rumors detailed this morning. Determining the future of McRoberts will be one of GM Rich Cho‘s first orders of business next month, if for no other reason than to reduce his bloated cap hold. The 27-year-old has expressed interest in a return and coach Steve Clifford has publicly lobbied for the team to retain him.

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