A number of NBA contracts include player options in the final year. Those option years give the player the opportunity to either opt into the last year of his deal and finish out his contract or to decline the option and hit the free agent market a year early.
Several factors play a part in a player’s option decision. The value of the option salary is obviously crucial, as is the player’s performance in the season leading up to his decision.
The state of the NBA’s salary cap also often becomes a necessary consideration for players weighing their decisions. If the salary cap is projected to increase only modestly, or if not many teams around the league project to have cap room, a player may be more inclined to take the guaranteed money rather than trying his luck on the open market.
This year’s player options are listed below. This list – which can be found anytime under the “Hoops Rumors Features” menu on the right sidebar on our desktop site or on the “Features” page in our mobile menu – will be updated throughout the spring and early summer to note the latest decisions as they’re reported or announced.
While some players may face earlier deadlines, all option decisions must be finalized by June 29.
Boston Celtics
- Danilo Gallinari ($6,802,950)
Chicago Bulls
- Andre Drummond ($3,360,000)
- Derrick Jones ($3,360,000): Plans to opt in
Denver Nuggets
- Bruce Brown ($6,802,950)
Golden State Warriors
- Draymond Green ($27,586,224)
- Donte DiVincenzo ($4,725,000)
Miami Heat
- Victor Oladipo ($9,450,000)
Milwaukee Bucks
- Khris Middleton ($40,396,552)
- Jevon Carter ($2,239,943)
New York Knicks
- Josh Hart ($12,960,000)
- Note: Hart’s salary would remain non-guaranteed until June 25, 2023 even if his player option is exercised.
Philadelphia 76ers
- James Harden ($35,640,000): Plans to opt out
- Danuel House ($4,310,250): Opted in
- Montrezl Harrell ($2,760,026)
Toronto Raptors
- Fred VanVleet ($22,824,074)
- Gary Trent Jr. ($18,785,000)
- Otto Porter Jr. ($6,300,000): Opted in
Utah Jazz
- Jordan Clarkson ($14,260,000)
- Talen Horton-Tucker ($11,020,000)
- Rudy Gay ($6,479,000)
- Damian Jones ($2,586,665)
Washington Wizards
- Kristaps Porzingis ($36,016,200)
- Kyle Kuzma ($13,000,000): Plans to opt out
Clarkson is an interesting one
Why do you say that? I looked up his stats from this year and he had a pretty good season. Shot the ball pretty well and comparative to his best years previously, and averaged 20 points with his increase in minutes.
I think 14 million is fairly cheap for a guy that can get you 30 On Any Given night and averages 20. He’ll probably opt out and hope for a 4-year deal at probably more money per year than this 14. Thoughts?
I also thought he had a great year but he is a little older, missed some games. Idk what the market will be. 14M isn’t nothing. I guess you’re probably right though.
Maybe his lack of defense and the fact he can’t really make others around him better? He’s really just a gunner. I guess it depends on who else is out there for scoring Off the Bench and what teams are willing to pay.