Report: Rockets' Nene declines $3.8M player option

Houston Rockets center Nene is reportedly declining his $3.8-million player option in order to enter free agency this summer, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Brazilian big man signed a three-year deal with the Rockets in 2017 that was restructured from a previously agreed four-year contract due to violating the "over-38 rule." The league's collective bargaining agreement prevents players from signing long-term deals if they would turn 38 years old at any point during the contract. Nene will hit the mark on Sept. 13, 2020.

Nene missed the first 21 games of last season while he recovered from a calf strain. He went on to average 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 42 appearances while playing 13 minutes per contest.

The 2019-20 season would be Nene's 18th in the NBA.