Clippers center Cole Aldrich declines player option

Clippers reserve center Cole Aldrich became the third player on the team to decline his player option, The Times has learned.

Aldrich would have earned $1.2 million next season, but will instead become a free agent with hopes of returning to the Clippers, said an NBA official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the situation.

Once he got into shape, Aldrich had a solid season for the Clippers as the backup to center DeAndre Jordan.

Aldrich averaged 5.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 13.3 minutes per game.

Aldrich joined Austin Rivers and Wesley Johnson as the Clippers who decided not to pick up their contracts for the 2016-17 season.