Marvin Williams Won't Opt Out of Hornets Contract, Will Make $15M in 2019-20

Marvin Williams will exercise his $15 million player option for the 2019-20 season and remain with the Charlotte Hornets, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.

"I'll be back," Williams said.

Williams, 32, had another solid but unspectacular season for the Hornets, averaging 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three. He started 75 games, the fifth straight season he's made at least that many appearances.

While Williams remains a steady role player, the Hornets built a team of such players around free-agent-to-be Kemba Walker, never surrounding him with another star or putting together a true contender. That has left open the possibility that Walker could depart for greener pastures this summer if he's seeking titles.

If Walker signs elsewhere, the Hornets would likely enter a rebuilding phase, meaning veterans like Williams could be put on the trade block—though his $15 million salary could be a tough sell for teams who likely won't want to splash that level of cash for a role player.

The Hornets would be smart to build around young players like Malik Monk and Miles Bridges and to potentially even bottom out and seek draft assets if Walker departs, though Williams may need to be a part of that process next season.