Steve Blake has exercised his player option worth $2,170,465 for the 2015/16 season to return to the Trail Blazers, the team has announced (Twitter link). The move doesn’t come as a surprise since Blake had indicated back in February that he intended to opt in, and that he was hoping to play another “year or two” after next season. “I’ve thought about it for sure,” said Blake of retirement. “I know I’m in the back stretch, that’s why it’s so important for us to be so good. I want a championship really bad and I’m hoping we can get to that level. I only have a few years left to try and get it.”
The return of Blake next season won’t significantly impact the Blazers’ salary cap situation, with the team now having a total of $25,243,542 in guaranteed salary committed for 2015/16. Of course, that amount doesn’t factor in pending free agents LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews, both of whom the team hopes to retain.
The 35-year-old appeared in 81 contests for the Blazers last season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 18.9 minutes per night. His slash line was .373/.352/.707. For his career, Blake has played in a total of 812 contests, notching career averages of 6.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 4.0 APG. His career shooting numbers are .401/.385/.778.