David Lee Reportedly Declines Contract Option with Spurs, Will Enter Free Agency

San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee reportedly declined his $2.3 million player option for the 2017-18 season on Thursday and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania. 

A 12-year veteran, Lee spent the 2016-17 campaign with the Spurs after he latched on with the reigning Southwest Division champions on a low-cost deal last summer. 

The 34-year-old proceeded to play 18.7 minutes per game in a rotational role behind LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol, averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 59.0 percent from the field. 

In those limited minutes, Lee maintained an above-average player efficiency rating (18.4) for the 12th straight season, according to Basketball-Reference.com. 

"You watch how efficient Spurs' teams are on the floor, and how each guy fills a role, and it's really special when it works out the right way," Lee said, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Mike Finger. "That was something I was looking forward to coming here and discovering. And what you see is what you get."

With a successful trial run in the bag, Lee will attempt to use his short stint with the Spurs as proof he can contribute in a meaningful capacity for another squad moving forward. 

A big raise may not be in the cards since Lee's prime has passed him by and he's still something a defensive liability, but he has the face-up tools and post skills necessary to carve out a defined niche on a title contender.