Serge Ibaka is returning to the Clippers after the veteran center informed the team Saturday that he will exercise his player option for next season, according to two people familiar with the situation not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The player option is worth $9.7 million. Picking it up keeps Ibaka from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but after injuries limited him to playing only 41 games, it was not expected that he could attract a more lucrative offer from another team.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank said Thursday that the team hoped Ibaka would exercise his option.