According to reports from the team’s final day of media availability, Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche will opt out of the last year of his deal and become a free agent:
Andray Blatche said he's going to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, but he would like to be back next year if it works out.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 15, 2014
After getting waived via the amnesty clause by the Washington Wizards in 2012, Blatche signed a minimum deal with the Brooklyn Nets in September of 2012, reviving his career and turning into the team’s top big man off the bench. Blatche averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 22 minutes per game in 2013-14, but saw his numbers diminish in the playoffs.
Blatche will get most of his contract paid by the Wizards next year, who still owe him close to $8.5 million in the 2014-15 season. The less Blatche signs for, the more money the Wizards have to pay him, thanks to a unique clause called the “offset formula.” He took a pay cut last season specifically to stick it to the Wizards, who he feels betrayed him.
Blatche can get more money on the open market, but he also could have last year, and decided to stick with the Nets. We’ll see where he ends up.
