Shooting guard Danny Green has exercised his player option of $10MM for next season to remain with the Spurs, Adrian Wojnarowksi of ESPN tweets.
The San Antonio Express-News reported last week that Green would likely pick up his option.
Green, 31, appeared in 70 games last season and averaged 8.6 PPG and 3.6 RPG with a shooting line of .387/.363/.769.
Although Green profiles as a three-and-D wing, his ability to knock down outside shots has wavered a little in recent years. He has converted just 35.7% of his three-point attempts over the last three seasons.
Considering that drop in performances plus his age, Green would have struggled to find a suitor who would have paid him more than his current salary. League sources told Young that Green would probably have received offers in the mid-level range ($5-8MM) if he opts out.
With Green staying, the Spurs will now have approximately $88.4MM in guaranteed salaries for next season. That figure doesn’t include cap charges for free agents Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson, or for Rudy Gay and Joffrey Lauvergne, who also hold player options — Gay is expected to opt out.
I knew it wasn’t going to happen, but I was hoping Green would opt out.
When you’re skill is to shoot 3’s, and you do so at barely over the league average clip the last three years, you take the $10M and run.
Danny is still a great defender…
Not as of last year…
About the Spurs – I’d like to give a shout out to the organization and their players in general. Saw Danny last week at my kid’s Spurs camp – nice guy (but still wished he opted out). You’ll see most of them heavily involved in the community. Green and Parker recently at Spurs camps (and many others in the past), and you can find Bruce Bowen coaching the sidelines at AAU games while Tim Duncan and Monty Williams are in the stands or on the bench helping out. Gervin and his brother run an academy and you can always find them and BS with them in between games. I know many other teams offer the same type of camps and opportunities, but the Spurs seem to stand out. Very family oriented, down to earth. Which is why I’m surprised about the Leonard situation. I’m sure there may have been something said or done to upset him during his rehab, but the organization has been consistent when it comes to the treatment of their players and operations. Players want to play for Popovich, and I lost count as to how many active coaches there are in the NBA that have been on the bench under Popovich. What happens going forward shouldn’t be a reflection on the organization regarding Leonard.
Knicks fan at heart, but admiration for the black and silver. Now, back to bashing Knicks management.
Like the Spurs are saying they have a year to straighten out the situation with Kawhi. Being able to play next year over not playing last season will help their attitudes.
Agree Green should grab the money & run… he will never see that kind of money ever again.