NBA Player Option Decisions For 2025/26

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 at 4:00 pm Central time. Early deadlines, reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, are noted below.

Chicago Bulls

• Jevon Carter ($6,809,524): Opted in

Dallas Mavericks

• Kyrie Irving ($43,962,963): Opted out
  • Decision due by June 24.
• Dwight Powell ($4,000,000): Opted in
  • Decision due by June 24.

Denver Nuggets

• Dario Saric ($5,426,400): Opted in
• Russell Westbrook ($3,468,960): Opted out

Los Angeles Clippers

• James Harden ($36,346,154): Opted out
• Nicolas Batum ($4,901,400): Opted out

Los Angeles Lakers

• LeBron James ($52,627,153): Opted in
• Dorian Finney-Smith ($15,378,480): Opted out

Miami Heat

• Duncan Robinson ($19,888,000): Opted out
  • Note: Robinson’s option is technically an early termination option.
  • Note: If Robinson opts in, his salary will be partially guaranteed for $9,888,000.

Milwaukee Bucks

• Bobby Portis ($13,445,754): Opted out
• Pat Connaughton ($9,423,869): Opted in
  • Decision due by June 24.
• Kevin Porter Jr. ($2,546,675): Opted out

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Julius Randle ($30,935,520): Opted out
• Naz Reid ($15,022,464): Opted out

Philadelphia 76ers

• Kelly Oubre ($8,382,150): Opted in
• Andre Drummond ($5,000,000): Opted in
• Eric Gordon ($3,468,960): Opted out

Portland Trail Blazers

• Matisse Thybulle ($11,550,000): Opted in
  • Decision due by June 24.

Utah Jazz

• John Collins ($26,580,000): Opted in
  • Decision due by June 26.

Washington Wizards

• Khris Middleton ($33,296,296): Opted in