With the salary cap set to jump by almost $20 million this summer, players all over the NBA will be looking to get paid. Arron Afflalo has a player option for $8 million with the Knicks for next season, and it’s all but a lock that he will opt out. At age 30, he’s still young enough that he should be able to get one more big contract, and that’s exactly what he will attempt to do.
From the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy:Equipped with a player option and a strong showing as the Knicks secondary scorer this season, Arron Afflalo told the Daily News he’s looking for at least one more big contract.
“Yeah, it’d be nice. It’d be nice,” the 30-year-old said. “But you do what you can. Whatever opportunities present themselves you never know. I’ve always looked at myself as a player who will have some longevity in the league based on the way that I play. I don’t rely too much on being overly athletic. I just try to be smart, take care of my body.”
Afflalo’s option for next season is worth $8 million, but he can probably command a greater amount over multiple years in the open market. The Knicks do not own his Bird Rights and would have to dip into their cap space to re-sign Afflalo if he doesn’t opt in.Afflalo has had a solid season for New York, but he’s just been moved to the bench by Knicks head coach Kurt Rambis. He isn’t really considered one of the elite shooting guards in the league anymore, the way he was a few years ago. Still, with so many teams set to have so much cap space this summer, it’s a good bet that he can get a big long-term deal somewhere.
