By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Joffrey Lauvergne could be joining a European club next season.
According to San Antonio Express-News, Lauvergne is expected to not opt into the $1.6 million option he has in his contract with the Spurs and instead choose to mull over potential “lucrative offers” to leave the NBA and head overseas.
If Lauvergne indeed explores options in Europe, there’s a good number of clubs, especially EuroLeague powerhouses, able to offer him a deal that could earn him much more than his salary with the Spurs.
Lauvergne last played in Europe in 2014-2015 with the jersey of Russian side Khimki Moscow, before signing with the Denver Nuggets. The 26-year-old French player has spent four seasons in the NBA, averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds over 13.6 minutes per game, with the Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Spurs.
Throughout his career in Europe, Lauvergne also played for Valencia, Elan Chalon, and Partizan Belgrade where he was a teammate with fellow Spurs player Davis Bertans.