Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 6 biggest player option decisions

By Bryan Toporek

The Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) goes up against the Boston Celtics' Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) goes up against the Boston Celtics' Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 19: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half in game three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 19: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half in game three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors

2019-20 option: $25.6 million

Marc Gasol’s free-agent fate may be directly tied to Kawhi Leonard’s.

If Leonard makes it known that he’s returning to the Toronto Raptors next season, Gasol is all but certain to pick up his $25.6 million player option. The 34-year-old would assuredly take a pay cut next season if he opts out, and the Raptors will have a chance to return to the NBA Finals so long as they still have Leonard.

But if Leonard isn’t forthcoming about his free-agent plans by Gasol’s opt-in deadline, the big man will have a far more difficult decision to make.

Leonard’s departure would likely spark a full-scale rebuild in Toronto. With Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka both on expiring contracts in 2019-20, general manager Masai Ujiri may decide to flip both of them to retool his roster around Most Improved Player front-runner Pascal Siakam.

If Gasol opts in and Leonard leaves in free agency, the big man could also find himself on the trading block. After getting his first taste of the NBA Finals this season, he may not want to risk getting sent to a fringe playoff squad with little chance of a deep postseason run.

Gasol is no longer in his Defensive Player of the Year prime, but he’s still a savvy two-way player whose value has become increasingly apparent throughout Toronto’s playoff run. While he may not be able to muster a $25 million annual salary on the open market, the dismal crop of free-agent centers could help him land a relatively hefty short-term deal.

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