NBA Free Agency: David Lee to opt out, unlikely to return
San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee will reportedly decline his player option for next season, and is unlikely to re-sign.
The San Antonio Spurs are gearing up for a busy offseason as they look to re-tool and stay competitive in the top heavy Western Conference. Pau Gasol will reportedly decline his $16.2 million option in order to re-negotiate a longer term deal for less money. Now, it looks like David Lee will do the same. The news comes via Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News
More #Spurs news: League source says David Lee is expected to decline his $1.6 million player option for 2017-18.
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) June 20, 2017
While Gasol will likely remain in San Antonio on a cheaper deal, it looks like Lee will be searching for a new team.
Is he going to re-sign or walk?
— Ty Jäger (@TheTyJager) June 20, 2017
Lee, 34, averaged 18.7 minutes, 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in the regular season for the Spurs. His numbers were slightly down in the playoffs, averaging 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 16.3 minutes. He signed a 2-year $3.2 million deal with the Spurs this past offseason, with a player option in the second year.
$1.6 million is a small chunk of change for NBA teams, so it definitely appears that Lee is looking to get paid this offseason. If his intentions were to help out the Spurs on a lesser deal, like Gasol, he’d be better off opting in. San Antonio will probably appreciate the cap relief as they attempt to carve out space for a run at free agent Chris Paul.
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A two-time All-Star, injuries have plagued Lee in the second half of his career. However, he played 73 regular season games and 15 playoff games for the Spurs, proving to be a serviceable bench veteran when healthy. He left Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors with partially torn patella on his left knee, but didn’t need surgery. He’s expected to make a full recovery after six weeks and resume basketball activities in July.