Al Jefferson Exercises Player Option to Remain with Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets confirmed that Al Jefferson exercised his $13.5 million player option to stay with the franchise for the 2015-16 season.

Jefferson has been one of the most quietly effective post players in the NBA over the past decade. Through 11 seasons on four different teams, his career averages stand at 17 points and 9.1 rebounds on 49.9 percent shooting.

After a strong first season in Charlotte, his numbers dipped a bit this past year (16.6 points, 8.4 boards). He also missed some time due to injury, the most troublesome being a groin problem that cost him nine games.

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As a team, the Hornets finished 33-49 in the weaker Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs by five games. One of the biggest questions once the regular season came to a close was whether Jefferson would pick up his option.

The anticipated decision doesn't come as a surprise after comments he made shortly after the campaign ended. He told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer that all signs pointed toward him returning for another year.

"I've got unfinished business here. That's not even an option for me," Jefferson said. "Unless something dramatic changed, I can't see myself opting out, and leaving that bad taste in my mouth. And in the Charlotte Hornets' mouth. I can't walk away from that."

Jefferson's return is a relief for the front office, which would have struggled to find an adequate replacement. Stein noted Jefferson brought "instant credibility" to the Hornets in his first season with the team.

He will be 31 next offseason, which is still in the range of landing one more big contract; the demand for reliable players on the interior always far outweighs the supply.

By exercising the option, Jefferson gets to handle "unfinished business" in Charlotte and still has a chance to cash in next summer.