Detroit Pistons' Jonas Jerebko to exercise player option for next year

You’re never going to believe this news, but Jonas Jerebko is planning on exercising his player option for next season — a decision that will net him a cool $4.5 million.

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From Eye on Basketball via the Detroit Free Press

"Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko told a Swedish newspaper he would pick up the $4.5 million player option and remain with the Pistons for the final year of his contract.“I feel like I can do much better than what I got the opportunity to show this past season,” Jerebko told Borås Tidning. “I know I can do it better than I showed last season. I expect the next will be much better.”"

Any time you can guarantee yourself $4.5 million, you have to jump at that opportunity.

It especially makes sense for Jerebko, who has seemingly regressed — at least from a statistical standpoint — every year since his rookie season back in 2009-10.

His point and rebound averages have decreased every year, starting at a very solid 9.3 and 6, respectively, in his rookie year to just 4.2 and 2.7 last season. His playing time has also declined every year, as he played 28 minutes a night his rookie season, but just under 12 a night last year.

The 6-foot-10 Swede did show some promise last season as a respectable three-point threat, hitting on 42 percent of his shots from behind the arc, but that wasn’t enough to earn him more minutes.

With all of their acquisitions last season, the 2013-14 season was dysfunctional in Detroit, but with Stan Van Gundy coming to town, things may turn around for the Pistons. And maybe they’ll turn around for Jerebko as well.

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Detroit Pistons’ Jonas Jerebko to exercise player option for next year

By Jack Maloney | May 28, 2014