The lack of salary cap space around the NBA this offseason has resulted in a substantial uptick in veterans exercising player options. In 2016, just three players picked up those options, while five followed suit in 2017. So far in 2018, 16 players have elected to opt into their contracts for 2018/19, and Spurs swingman Danny Green is expected to increase that number to 17.
Player option decisions are due by June 29, this Friday, and there are still several noteworthy decisions to come. Here’s a quick breakdown of the ones we’re still waiting on:
LeBron James, Cavaliers ($35,607,968): While it seems like a lock that James would opt out to reach free agency, exercising his option makes more sense if he wants to join certain over-the-cap teams, as we explained here. I still expect LeBron to opt out, but if he picks up this option, he’ll likely be doing so with a specific trade destination in mind.- DeAndre Jordan, Clippers ($24,119,025): Jordan is unlikely to get a $24MM starting salary in free agency, but if he could get a three- or four-year contract with an average annual value of $15-20MM, that might be preferable to opting in. His decision will have a huge impact on the Clippers’ offseason, since the club would be well over the cap with Jordan’s salary on its books.
- Paul George, Thunder ($20,703,384): Of all the options on this list, George’s looks like the easiest call. Even if he wants to stay with the Thunder, he’s more likely to opt out and sign a new deal that starts at his max, $30.3MM. This option is a virtual lock to be declined.
- Enes Kanter, Knicks ($18,622,514): Picking up the option is probably the right move for Kanter, who wouldn’t get an $18MM+ salary on the open market, but he has talked about opting out. As in Jordan’s case, turning down the option could mean accepting a lesser salary in 2018/19 in exchange for greater long-term security.
- Thaddeus Young, Pacers ($13,764,045): Young is said to be strongly considering declining his option, and he’s another player who could seek a longer-term deal that increases his overall payday. For example, a new three-year, $30MM contract might appeal more to Young than finishing out a one-year, $13MM+ deal.
- Garrett Temple, Kings ($8,000,000): Temple is coming off a solid year in Sacramento, but he’s 32 years old and isn’t a starting point guard, so opting in for an $8MM guarantee appears to be the right call.
- Joffrey Lauvergne, Spurs ($1,656,092): Lauvergne is reportedly considering turning down his option. If he does so, there’s little downside — he’d simply have to find another minimum salary offer in order to match his option salary. The big man may not want to risk following in the footsteps of former Spur David Lee, who declined a minimum-salary player option last summer and then didn’t sign another NBA contract, but at age 26, Lauvergne should a safe bet to receive an offer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jordan needs to leave the Clippers and sign with the Lakers. Go play with LeBron. He has never had a real rim protector. Jordan can stay in LA and compete for a chip.
Balls / PG13 / Ingram / Bron / Jordan
Joel Anthony must have never existed then
Are you kidding me?
Yea the guy who came off the bench and played 15-20min a game. who made the minimum…. I’m talking about a elite big rim protector who plays 30min a night. Consistently at the top in league REBs and BLKS
what about ilgauskas ?
Greg Oden? Andrew Bogut? Mozgov?
Joel Anthony STARTED many games in the playoffs for Lebron. ESPN wrote multiple articles showing how despite his awful offensive game, he was their best screen setter, P and roll defender, and shot blocker.
You never watched the games, clearly.
Kanter is an odd guy, but there is no denying his production or what his physical presence and fit with KP gave the Knicks when both were on the court. He also loves being in NYC (not everyone does). Instead of encouraging him to “opt in” (as they are), it would better if they tried to work out a longer term deal on relatively team friendly terms. In the unlikely event there are better uses of cap space than him available to the Knicks next summer, they’re more efficient ways to open it up. He’s their second best player, a perfect complement to their best player and 26 years old. It would be a shame to lose him for cap space that goes into another THJ.
Kanter seems to say the things that would suggest he wants just that. NYK should be making an offer, like 4/$70, but everyone has GSW stars in their eyes so probably not.
59% 2s, 84% 1s, 21 rebs per 100 poss, runs the court, nearly always available for 10 years. Not a shotblocker but Zinger is.
GSW is hurting everybody’s valuation!
All these guys that you mentioned, sorry but not one of them can compare to DJ, & he isn’t a superstar, but way better than all those role, complimentary, deep bench centers. Oden would have been better but for injuries.