To opt in or opt out? From Bradley Beal and Kyrie Irving to Russell Westbrook and James Harden and beyond, tracking every NBA player option decision for the 2022-23 season.
It’s that time of year again. With NBA free agency nearly upon us, it’s time to suss out who’s ready to exercise their contractual rights to return to their teams next season for a predetermined fee and who’s ready to nix those terms and hit the open market one season early.
It’s NBA player option time.
With superstars like Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and John Wall all facing key decisions on their contract options for 2022-23, there are literally hundreds of millions of dollars on the line.
So, who’s picking up their option? Who’s declining and opting out? Boardroom has all the answers below.
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Every NBA Player Option Decision for the 2022-23 Season
Reflects decisions as confirmed by player statements, team announcements, or sourced reporting as of June 29. Players are listed in descending order based on value of their 2022-23 options. All salary data via Spotrac.
1. Philadelphia 76ers PG James Harden: DECLINED
- Age: 32
- Agent: Chafie Fields & Jason Ranne (Wasserman)
- 2021-22 salary: $44,310,840
- 2022-23 player option: $47,366,760
Based on a preponderance of reporting, James Harden was expected to exercise his 2022-23 option to remain with the 76ers. He ultimately opted out on June 29, but is likely to work with the team to negotiate a new extension.
2. Houston Rockets PG John Wall: PICKED UP; BOUGHT OUT
- Age: 31
- Agent: Rich Paul (Klutch Sports)
- 2021-22 salary: $44,310,840
- 2022-23 player option: $47,366,760
John Wall did exercise his player option for 2022-23 — the last season of the supermax deal he signed in the 2017 offseason — but subsequently agreed to a buyout with the Houston Rockets that saves the team just over $6 million. When the buyout is consummated, he’s expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
3. Los Angeles Lakers PG Russell Westbrook: PICKED UP
- Age: 33
- Agent: Thad Foucher (Wasserman)
- 2021-22 salary: $44,211,146
- 2022-23 player option: $47,063,478
Russell Westbrook’s own supermax deal will now officially expire next summer upon news of his intentions to pick up his option and return to the Lakers to run it back with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
4. Brooklyn Nets PG/SG Kyrie Irving: PICKED UP
- Age: 30
- Agent: Sam Permut (Roc Nation Sports)
- 2021-22 salary: $34,916,200
- 2022-23 player option: $36,503,300
There were rumblings of an opt-out and a sign-and-trade. NBA prognosticators looked on, ready to be spellbound. Then, Kyrie announced on June 27 that he’ll be back with the Nets next season to play out the final option year on the four-year contract he signed in the summer of 2019.
Missed Kyrie earlier this summer on Boardroom’s “The ETCs” podcast with Eddie Gonzalez? Check out the full episode here:
5. Washington Wizards SG Bradley Beal: DECLINED
- Age: 29
- Agent: Mark Bartelstein & Reggie Brown (Priority Sports & Entertainment)
- 2021-22 salary: $33,724,200
- 2022-23 player option: $36,422,136
Bradley Beal will officially enter unrestricted free agency on June 30, but is reportedly likely to work out a five-year max deal with the Wizards worth as much as $248 million to remain in the nation’s capital as the undisputed No. 1 option.
6. Derrick Favors (Thunder), $10,183,800: PICKED UP
7. JaMychal Green (Nuggets), $8,200,000: PICKED UP
8. PJ Tucker (Heat), $7,350,000: DECLINED
9. Patty Mills (Nets), $6,184,500: DECLINED
10. Pat Connaughton (Bucks), $5,728,393: PICKED UP
11. Kendrick Nunn (Lakers), $5,250,000: PICKED UP
12. Cory Joseph (Pistons), $5,155,000: PICKED UP
13. Bobby Portis (Bucks), $4,564,980: DECLINED
14. Jeff Green (Nuggets), $4,500,000: PICKED UP
15. Nicolas Batum (Clippers), $3,328,530: DECLINED
16. Tony Bradley (Bulls), $3,300,000: PICKED UP
17. Trey Burke (Mavericks), $3,150,000: PICKED UP
t-18. Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), $1,878,720: PICKED UP
t-18. Svi Mykhailiuk (Raptors): $1,878,720: PICKED UP
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