The Rockets will not exercise their 2013/14 option on the recently-acquired Cole Aldrich, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link). Aldrich, who came over from the Thunder on the weekend, would have been in line for a $3.25MM next year, but will instead become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Faced with five decisions on 2013/14 options, the Rockets elected to exercise only Marcus Morris' and Patrick Patterson's. Besides turning down Aldrich's fourth-year option, Houston waived another player acquired from the Thunder, Lazar Hayward, meaning the team won't be on the hook for his '13/14 option. The Rockets also released JaJuan Johnson without picking up his third-year option.
With Aldrich's option set to be declined, there's now just one outstanding 2013/14 option decision remaining, according to Hoops Rumors' tracker: Quincy Pondexter of the Grizzlies.