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NBA Free Agency 2017: Blake Griffin and the 10 biggest player option decisions

By John Buhler

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are 10 NBA stars to keep an eye on heading into free agency. They can all opt out of their deals and become free agents. What are the implications of these player options?

To garner a player option in a multi-year contract, it is truly a testament to the type of production a guy has displayed on the hardwood. In many cases, guys with player options have been All-Stars on multiple occasions, or are at least the signature player on a small market team.

Player options are always an interesting leverage play heading into free agency. Guys with player options built into their contract with have until June 24 (unless an alternate date is set in their contract) to either opt in or opt out of the current deals before potential hitting unrestricted free agency in July.

Though there are great players like Stephen Curry, Serge Ibaka and George Hill hitting unrestricted free agency regardless, here are the 10 biggest names that have a choice to make: To opt in or to opt out? How will these 10 marquee players’ decisions impact their 2016-17 team and the free agency market?

Mar 13, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) gestures after hitting a three-point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) gestures after hitting a three-point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pau Gasol

Power Forward, San Antonio Spurs

Spanish power forward Pau Gasol has certainly put together a Basketball Hall of Fame career over 15 NBA season with four teams. Gasol is best known as the first great player in Memphis Grizzlies basketball and the perfect sidekick to help Kobe Bryant win two more NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers.

After two years with the Chicago Bulls from 2014 to 2016, Gasol opted out his Chicago deal to sign a two-year contract worth $31 million with the Spurs last summer. He made $15,500,000 in 2016-17 and is slated to make $16,197,500 in 2017-18.

Not only is Gasol past his prime, but he’s not even starting playoff games in San Antonio. Either the 36-year-old big man was a bad matchup against his brother Marc Gasol’s Memphis Grizzlies in round one or he’s not built to start in NBA playoff basketball anymore at the four or five.

If Gasol opts in, that would indicate that he believes he can win a third NBA Championship in San Antonio. That financial decision could also indicate that 2017-18 might be his last season as an NBA professional. It would be hard for him to walk away from the Spurs culture. Even his brother, who plays for a division rival, told him to sign there.

Should Gasol opt out, it could mean a handful of things. He may want to sign another two-year deal with a player option for 2018-19 before calling it a career. Gasol may want more money or more of an opportunity. A younger version of Gasol would no doubt opt out. However, he would be best served to take the money and play his 16th NBA season with the Spurs.

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