Much to the chagrin of Golden State Warriors fans, Andris Biedrins will exercise his player option for the 2013-2014 season. This decision means that the Warriors will be forced to pay him $9 million for his services, or lack there of.
2013-2014 will be the final year of Biedrins’ six-year, $54 million contract that he signed back in 2008. At 27 years of age, he could opt out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, but according to his agent Bill Duffy, he will not.
Biedrins played just 53 games this season, and averaged a lowly 0.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 9.3 minutes of work per contest. Once viewed as a player with star-potential, he has failed to improve since signing that lucrative deal five years ago.
Golden State may be in a sticky situation now with approximately $75 million tied up in salary. The luxury tax is set around $70 million, and the penalties are more harsh than ever. Not only is that the issue, but key reserves Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry are potential free agents as well. Jack will be an unrestricted free agent as of July 1st, although he has publicly announced that he hopes to be back in the Bay Area. Landry faces a tough decision himself. With a $4 million player option, he can decide to either stay in Golden State for that figure or take his chances on the free agent market.
Regardless, Biedrins’ decision to stay makes this off-season even more tricky for the Warriors’ brass. With rumors now floating around that the Dubs recent playoff success now has Dwight Howard interested in coming to town, this summer will be an eventful one for the Warriors organization.