Player informs team he will sign elsewhere in free agency

A player informed the franchise he spent the past eight seasons with that he will sign elsewhere in free agency. Officials from both sides have expressed mutual respect since the decision became public. The relationship between the player and the franchise was not without strain.

A report published July 2 stated the disconnect began after the team traded a player acquired in July 2021 and never fully recovered.

Trade details The franchise acquired the player in July 2021 by sending four players and a draft pick to another team. The player and a teammate had supported the addition, expecting it would improve postseason prospects after an early exit in the 2021 playoffs.

The acquired player struggled to match prior offensive production and committed turnovers at a high rate. The team finished the 2021-22 season with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs.

Subsequent developments The acquired player moved to a reserve role during the 2022-23 season. Team cohesion did not reach the level anticipated at the time of the trade. The player was traded to another franchise in February 2023. A January report stated the team’s president and controlling owner at the time was frustrated that the star player did not accept accountability for the trade’s outcome.

That frustration remained unresolved when the star player later decided to leave.