By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Milos Teodosic has to decide today if he will exercise his player option for next season which will pay him $6.3 million and according to Eurohoops sources, he is expected to do so.
However, the LA Clippers have also the right to cut him before the 14th of July and compensate him with $2.1 million, which is the guaranteed amount of his next season’s salary.
The fact that Milos Teodosic played only 45 games last season due to injuries is a factor in the Clippers‘ decision, however, the Serbian guard is expected to be waived mainly for financial reasons. DeAndre Jordan ($24.1 m.) and Austin Rivers ($12.7 m.) are also expected to exercise their player option, though Jordan has not indicated anything yet about his intentions. The Clippers are going to stay over the luxury tax and are in danger of paying also the repeater tax, for staying multiple seasons over the salary cap.
That’s the main reason which pushes Teodosic towards the exit door and that’s why it’s expected that the Clippers will announce their decision about him before the start of the free agency. Considering his performance and salary, Teodosic will be considered a bargain in the NBA market. Τhe scenario of him returning to Europe, while possible, is still just a possibility that depends clearly on the offers he will get from the NBA.
UPDATE:
According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Teodosic has exercised his 2018-2019 player option with the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3M player option for the 2018-19 season, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2018