Several key players are deciding their futures with looming player option decisions ahead of NBA free agency.
HoopsHype listed the top player option decisions based on the highest to the lowest salaries in that order and added intel where applicable on what direction each player will go regarding their option.
This story will be updated as each player’s option decision is finalized.
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LeBron James (LA Lakers)
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Option amount: $50,434,636
LeBron James has talked about his dream to play with his son, Bronny, who was drafted No. 55 overall in the NBA Draft by the Lakers. Many around the league believe James, who holds significant leverage, will remain a Laker in free agency after the organization drafted his son and hired his podcast partner,
JJ Redick , to be the new coach. James is eligible for a three-year, $162 million deal with the Lakers if he opts out and re-ups with the franchise.
UPDATE: James opted out of his player option and the
expectation is he'll return to the Lakers, per The Athletic's Shams Charania
Prediction: James opted out
Paul George (LA Clippers)
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Option amount: $48,787,676 The belief around the NBA is that
Paul George’s free agency will play out in one of three ways. One scenario is George will return to the Los Angeles Clippers by declining his player option and signing a new deal similar to
Kawhi Leonard , who signed a three-year, $153 million extension earlier this season. Another option is George declines his player option and signs a maximum contract – which he ideally wants – with the Philadelphia 76ers or theoretically another team with such cap space. A third option is George exercises his player option to facilitate a trade to another team and eventually extend with the team who trades for him. Given two of the three options involved George opting out of his player option, that’s the current prediction based on a logical guesstimate as we await George’s decision.
UPDATE: Paul George is declining his player option and entering free agency, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski
reports . George plans to set meetings with the Clippers, 76ers, and Magic beginning Sunday night, Wojnarowski adds. The 76ers are expected to
aggressively pursue George, league sources told HoopsHype.
Prediction: George opted out
Lonzo Ball (Chicago)
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Option amount: $21,395,348 Chicago Bulls guard
Lonzo Ball exercised his $21.4 million player option, as expected, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Ball last appeared in an NBA game on January 14, 2022, and had cartilage transplant surgery in March 2023, which marked the third surgery on his left knee in a year.
Prediction: Ball exercised his option
OG Anunoby (New York)
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Option amount: $19,928,571 Knicks forward
OG Anunoby agreed to a five-year, $212.5 million deal with New York ahead of unrestricted free agency. The deal includes a player option and trade kicker, as
reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Anunoby helped the Knicks win 20 of 23 games he played in. New York hopes Anunoby and recently acquired
Mikal Bridges can shut opponents down on the perimeter as a defensive duo to compete with the Boston Celtics for the Eastern Conference crown next season.
Prediction: Anunoby opted out
D’Angelo Russell (LA Lakers)
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Option amount: $18,692,307 Lakers guard
D’Angelo Russell told Jordan Richard of Swish Cultures that he intends to exercise his player option and stay with Los Angeles. His
top priority is to win a championship, per Richard. Over the past two days or so, Russell strongly contemplated exercising his option. Originally , Russell was expected to opt out after averaging 18 points on 41.5 percent shooting from three-point range and 6.3 assists in 76 games. In the playoffs, however, Russell averaged 14.2 points on 38.4 percent shooting from the field overall and 4.2 assists in five games against Denver.
Prediction: Russell opted in
Davis Bertans (Charlotte)
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Option amount: $16,000,000
Davis Bertans has an early termination option in his contract. However, don’t expect the career 39.6 percent three-point shooter to trigger that early termination clause in his contract after only appearing in 43 combined games last season for the Thunder and Hornets.
Prediction: Bertans declines his early termination option
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Denver)
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Option amount: $15,440,185
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope declined his player option, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Tony Jones. Caldwell-Pope is expected to draw interest from several teams in free agency, most notably from the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. Over the past three seasons, Caldwell-Pope has been a stout wing defender, averaged 11.4 points on 40.5 percent from three-point range, and started 229 regular-season games.
Prediction: Caldwell-Pope opted out
Richaun Holmes (Washington)
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Option amount: $12,876,780 Wizards center
Richaun Holmes was
expected to exercise his $12.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season, but instead
declined his player option to sign a new two-year, $25.9 million deal with Washington through the 2025-26 season, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. Only $250,000 out of $13.3 million is guaranteed for the 2025-26 season. Holmes averaged 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game for Washington after being acquired in the
Daniel Gafford trade.
Prediction: Holmes opted out
PJ Tucker (LA Clippers)
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Option amount: $11,539,000 Los Angeles Clippers forward
PJ Tucker exercised his $11.54 million player option, as
first reported by HoopsHype. The player option was negotiated as part of a three-year, $33 million deal by agent Andre Buck when Tucker signed with the 76ers during 2022 free agency. After playing in 146 games the two seasons prior combined, Tucker only played in 31 games this past season.
Prediction: Tucker exercised his option
Gary Payton II (Golden State)
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $9,130,000 Warriors guard
Gary Payton II exercised his $9.13 million player option, as
reported by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, giving him the flexibility to extend with the Warriors this offseason. He’s appeared in 66 games combined in the past two seasons.
Prediction: Payton II exercised his option
Caleb Martin (Miami)
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $7,126,900 Miami Heat swingman
Caleb Martin was expected to decline his $7.13 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency for a bigger payday this summer, league sources told HoopsHype. As
reported by HoopsHype, Martin indeed declined his player option to enter free agency. Martin could command the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception from teams around the league or better in free agency.
Prediction: Martin opted out
Jalen Smith (Indiana)
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Option amount: $5,417,386 Indiana Pacers big
Jalen Smith is declining his $5.4 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, as
reported by HoopsHype. Smith will look for a pay raise after he shot a career-high 59.2 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three-point range for the Pacers last season.
Prediction: Smith opted out
Reggie Jackson (Denver)
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Option amount: $5,250,000
Reggie Jackson exercised his player option, as
reported by HoopsHype, and was swiftly traded to Charlotte for salary cap relief, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
reported .
Prediction: Jackson exercised his option
Russell Westbrook (LA Clippers)
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Option amount: $4,027,525
Russell Westbrook finished seventh in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting after coming off the bench in all but 11 of his 68 games played during the regular season. Westbrook, a California native, could look for a new opportunity for more playing time on the free agent market elsewhere for a similar salary to his current contract.
UPDATE: Westbrook exercised his player option, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski
reported . However, Westbrook's spot on the Clippers isn't secure, The Athletic's Law Murray
reports .
Prediction: Westbrook exercised his option
Kevin Love (Miami)
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Option amount: $4,027,525 Miami’s
Kevin Love was a solid role player for the Heat off the bench last season, averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 16.8 minutes over 55 regular-season games. Love, who turns 36 in September, said he
doesn’t want to retire.
UPDATE: Love
declined his $4 million player option, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Both sides are enthusiastic about negotiating a new deal in the opening days of free agency, Wojnarowski reports.
Prediction: Love opted out
Eric Gordon (Phoenix)
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Option amount: $3,356,271 Suns guard
Eric Gordon declined his player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Gordon, who’ll play for the Bahamas now, is expected to draw interest from contenders after shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range and appearing in 68 games for the Suns last season.
Prediction: Gordon opted out
Josh Richardson (Miami)
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Option amount: $3,051,153 Miami’s
Josh Richardson exercised his $3 million player option, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania
reported . Richardson was a key role player for Miami, averaging 9.9 points in 25.7 minutes in 43 games before he eventually underwent a labrum procedure in March.
Prediction: Richardson exercised his option
Christian Wood (LA Lakers)
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $3,036,040
Christian Wood exercised his option, as
first reported by HoopsHype. Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game over 50 games played for the Lakers. His inconsistent role last season was underwhelming after being expected to be the primary backup big man to
Anthony Davis .
Prediction: Wood exercised his option
Josh Okogie (Phoenix)
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Option amount: $2,956,734 Suns guard
Josh Okogie will decline his $2.95 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency, as
reported by HoopsHype. Over the past two seasons, Okogie has been a role player for Phoenix, providing defense, and has averaged 17.5 minutes played and started 37 combined games.
Prediction: Okogie opted out
Torrey Craig (Chicago)
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Option amount: $2,845,342 Bulls small forward
Torrey Craig has shot a combined 39.4 percent from three-point range the past two seasons with the Suns and Bulls. With uncertainty surrounding Chicago’s direction, Craig could opt out and explore the free agent market while likely being able to recoup his current salary as his floor in another situation.
UPDATE: Craig exercised his player option, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski
reports .
Prediction: Craig exercised his option
Thomas Bryant (Miami)
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $2,845,342
Thomas Bryant averaged 11.6 minutes in 38 games played for Miami last season, and his road to playing time likely took another hit at the NBA Draft when the Heat selected
Kel'el Ware 15th overall in the NBA Draft. Bryant’s decision will depend on whether he wants to lock in a guaranteed salary or risk losing guaranteed money for a potentially better opportunity for playing time elsewhere.
UPDATE: According to the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang, Bryant
opted out .
Prediction: Bryant opted out
Damion Lee (Phoenix)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $2,845,342
Damion Lee shot a career-high 44.5 percent with the Suns during the 2022-23 season before missing all of this past season due to right knee surgery. After missing a season, it would be logical for Lee to lock in a guaranteed salary and attempt to pick up where he left off, thriving as a shooter off the bench.
UPDATE: Lee declined his player option and will explore free agency as first
reported by HoopsHype.
Prediction: Lee opted out
Keita Bates-Diop (Brooklyn)
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Option amount: $2,654,644
Keita Bates-Diop exercised his player option, according to a
report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The move was expected as Bates-Diop only played in 14 games and averaged 4.9 minutes before undergoing a procedure to address a stress fracture in his right tibia for the Nets after being acquired via trade.
Prediction: Bates-Diop exercised his option
Yuta Watanabe (Memphis)
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Option amount: $2,654,644
Yuta Watanabe decided to return home to his native Japan after an inconsistent role this past season with the Suns and Grizzlies following his breakout 2022-23 campaign with the Nets, where he shot a career-high 44.4 percent from three-point range. Watanabe previously discussed representing Japan and changing Asian basketball stereotypes, how
Kevin Durant helped him improve, and more in an
exclusive HoopsHype interview .
Prediction: Watanabe opted out
Drew Eubanks (Phoenix)
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Option amount: $2,654,644 After spending one season in Phoenix,
Drew Eubanks will decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
reported . Eubanks has solidified himself as a solid backup center over the past three seasons with the Spurs, Blazers, and Suns. He should easily be able to recoup his player option salary as a floor.
Prediction: Eubanks opted out
Oshae Brissett (Boston)
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Option amount: $2,463,946 Boston Celtics reserve
Oshae Brissett will decline his player option, per Spotrac’s Keith Smith, and as confirmed by a league source to HoopsHype. The 26-year-old forward appeared in 55 games and averaged 11.5 minutes per game. After seeing his use decrease the past two seasons with Indiana and Boston, Brissett could look for a change of scenery for a better chance to earn more minutes.
Prediction: Brissett opted out
Jaxson Hayes (LA Lakers)
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Option amount: $2,463,946 Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes will exercise his $2.46 million player option for the 2024-25 season, as
reported by HoopsHype. The former No. 8 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft shot a career-high 72 percent and tied a career-high with 70 games played during the regular season. The 24-year-old center played with his new coach,
JJ Redick , in New Orleans for two seasons, and it’ll be interesting to see how their previous relationship affects his decision. Hayes probably played well enough to earn a similar contract elsewhere. The question is whether he’d prefer to be the primary center backup for the Lakers or look for a change of scenery and a potentially bigger role elsewhere.
Prediction: Hayes exercised his option
Cam Reddish (LA Lakers)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Option amount: $2,463,946 Lakers small forward
Cam Reddish earned playing time for former Lakers coach
Darvin Ham because of his defense. After being traded from the Hawks to the Knicks, Reddish’s career has stalled without a consistent role with the Knicks, Blazers, and Lakers for a sustained period. If Reddish feels the market will be dry, he can exercise his option and guarantee his salary for next season. Or, he can look for a better situation elsewhere for more potential playing time but possibly risk a guaranteed salary in the process. The former No. 10 overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft turns 25 in September. Reddish ultimately exercised his player option, The Athletic and HoopsHype
reports .
Prediction: Reddish exercised his option
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