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 generally 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.
Brooklyn Nets
-
Kyrie Irving ($36,934,550): Opted in
- Patty Mills ($6,184,500): Opted out
Chicago Bulls
- Tony Bradley ($2,036,318): Opted in
Dallas Mavericks
- Trey Burke ($3,300,000): Opted in
Denver Nuggets
- JaMychal Green ($8,200,000): Opted in
- Jeff Green ($4,500,000): Opted in
Detroit Pistons
- Cory Joseph ($5,155,500): Opted in
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers
- Nicolas Batum ($3,328,530): Opted out
Los Angeles Lakers
- Russell Westbrook ($47,063,478): Opted in
- Kendrick Nunn ($5,250,000): Opted in
Miami Heat
- P.J. Tucker ($7,350,000): Opted out
Milwaukee Bucks
- Pat Connaughton ($5,728,393): Opted in
- Bobby Portis ($4,564,980): Opted out
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo ($1,878,720): Opted in
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Derrick Favors ($10,183,800): Opted in
Philadelphia 76ers
- James Harden ($47,366,760): Opted out
Toronto Raptors
- Svi Mykhailiuk ($1,878,720): Opted in
Washington Wizards
- Bradley Beal ($36,422,136): Opted out
I think most will opt in. Maybe Portis, he could get more $$$
I think John Wall is the sure thing but Thanasis Anterokounmpo is a pretty good bet, unless they find a better job that lets them not do anything and get millions.