He had a $2.9 million option on the table for next season.
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Upon declining his player option, Ginobili becomes an unrestricted free agent, meaning he could sign an offer sheet with any team that wants to snag him, but the Spurs has the right to match any offer to keep him on their roster. He has spent his entire 14-season National Basketball Association career with the Spurs. Even if Ginobili does decide to suit up for one more season, he won’t be worth drafting in most leagues.
Ginobili averaged a career-low 19.6 minutes in 58 games this past season, but he remained the leader of the Spurs’ bench. The 38-year-old posted averages of 9.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three point range.
The Vertical first reported the news that Ginobili would opt out of his contract.
Ginobili returned to action on March 2, and lit up the Detroit Pistons for 22 points in helping the Spurs become just the third team in National Basketball Association history to start off a season with a 30-0 record at home. He has been a member of four title teams, is a two-time All-Star and was named the 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year.
The solid play from Ginobili this past season suggests he still has something to offer San Antonio or another contender who’d like a marquee role player with four National Basketball Association titles on his resume.
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Still a busy summer ahead of him, Ginobili will be playing for his native Argentina in the Olympics, hoping to lead them to another gold.
