The condensed NBA offseason has officially begun, with trades able to be made official on Monday at 12 p.m. ET — the biggest thus far being Dennis Schröder being traded to the Lakers for Danny Green and the 28th overall pick (with the potential for it to grow to a three-team deal as OKC may look to move Green). While free agency’s moratorium period won’t begin until Friday, there are some key decisions being made by players who have to determine whether they are picking up player options for 2020-21 or entering the free agent market.
There are a number of high profile players who have such decisions, and while declining a player option isn’t an indication someone is planning on leaving their current team — see: Davis, Anthony — it does open up the opportunity for other teams to get involved. With a free agency class that is light on star talent, the player option group has the chance to beef up this class and make it a bit more intriguing.
As such, here we will provide rolling updates as reports emerge regarding these player option decisions, starting with the ones we already know from Sunday and Monday.
Anthony Davis, LAL ($28.7 million): Opt out
Yahoo Sources: Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis is officially declining his $28.7 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 16, 2020
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL ($8.5 million): Opt out
Lakers starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will decline his 2020-21 player option and enter free agency, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. He’s expected to have several suitors at start of free agency — and teams are under impression he’s open to offers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
Wesley Matthews, MIL ($2.7 million): Opt out
Milwaukee’s Wesley Matthews will decline his $2.7M player option for the 2020-21 season and become a free agent, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
Rajon Rondo, LAL ($2.6 million): Opt out
Sources: Rajon Rondo is expected to decline his player option for $2.6 million with the Lakers to become a free agent. Rondo will have teams after him, including the Clippers and Atlanta Hawks.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) November 16, 2020
Jerami Grant, DEN ($9.1 million): Opt out
Yahoo Sources: Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant is declining his $9.3 million player option for the 2020-21 season to become an unrestricted free agent.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 16, 2020
Robin Lopez, MIL ($4.8 million): Opt out
Milwaukee Bucks center Robin Lopez is declining his $5M player option and becoming a free agent, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2020
Rodney Hood, POR ($5.8 million): Opt out
Portland Trail Blazers F Rodney Hood is declining his $6M player option and becoming a free agent, sources tell ESPN. Hood’s had nearly a full year to recover from a torn Achilles injury and can play right away with a new team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
James Ennis, ORL ($2 million): Opt out
Magic swingman James Ennis will decline his $2.1M player option and become a free agent, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2020
Evan Fournier, ORL ($17 million): Pick up
Magic’s Evan Fournier will exercise his $17M player option for the 2020-21 season on Monday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
Nicolas Batum, CHA ($27.1 million): Pick up
Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum will exercise his $27.13M player option for the 2020-21 season on Monday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
Otto Porter Jr., CHI ($28.4 million): Pick up
Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr. is opting into his $28.4 million player option for the 2020-21 season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 16, 2020
Mario Hezonja, POR ($1.8 million): Pick up
Portland Trail Blazers guard Mario Hezonja will exercise his $1.98 million player option for the 2021-22 season, league sources told @hoopshype.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 16, 2020
DeMar DeRozan, SAS ($27.8 million): Pick up
San Antonio Spurs star DeMar DeRozan has informed the franchise that he is opting into his $27.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 16, 2020
Jabari Parker, SAC ($6.5 million): Pick up
Kings forward Jabari Parker will exercise his $6.5 million option for the 2020-21 season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2020
TBD
Gordon Hayward, BOS ($31.9 million)
Andre Drummond, CLE ($25.4 million)
Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL ($17.7 million)
James Johnson, MIN ($14.4 million)
Kelly Olynyk, MIA ($12.5 million)
Enes Kanter, BOS ($4.8 million)
JaMychal Green, LAC ($4.8 million)
Avery Bradley, LAL ($4.8 million)
JaVale McGee, LAL ($4.1 million)
Stanley Johnson, TOR ($3.7 million)
Willie Cauley-Stein, DAL ($2.2 million)
Mike Muscala, OKC ($2.1 million)
