After a productive season, Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson has chosen to exercise his player option for the upcoming season.
Yahoo Sports’s Shams Charania has reported that Los Angeles Clippers wing Wesley Johnson has will exercise his player option, thus opting-in to the final year of his contract.
Johnson is due $6.1 million after exercising his option, and will become a free agent following the 2018-2019 NBA season. The option will cap off Johnson’s 3-year, $17.6 million contract.
The 30-year-old wing is one of the Clippers’ longest-tenured players on the current roster. He was signed prior to the 2015-2016 season, and has now played longer for the Clippers than he has any other franchise.
In three seasons with the Clippers Johnson has averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 222 games. In 52 starts, 40 of which came this past season, he’s putting up 6.9 points and and 3.8 rebounds.
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Johnson has never been one to stand out from the crowd, but he’s done a solid job of filling in when he’s needed. This last season was his most impressive to date. He had to fill in for an injured Danilo Gallinari for the majority of the season, with Johnson starting almost twice as many games as Gallo played.
Because his deal is so inexpensive, Johnson is a great asset for Los Angeles. He provides some solid play off the bench while also providing the team with cap room.
Johnson will likely hold his position in the depth chart, just above Sam Dekker and below Tobias Harris. It’s possible that Sindarius Thornwell could edge out Dekker during some games, but Thornwell spent a majority of his time at shooting guard last season.
Whether the Clippers negotiate a new contract with Johnson after this one expires is unknown. For now, Johnson will remain an LA Clipper.