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Cole Aldrich is reportedly going to be a free agent after the upcoming 2012-13 NBA season with word from Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen that Houston will not pick up his option.
"Aldrich is signed for this season, but picking up his option for next season would have guaranteed him $3.245 million in 2013-14 and made him the fourth-highest paid player on the team after James Harden (assuming he agrees to a contract extension today as expected), Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik," explains Feigen.
The Rockets recently acquired Aldrich in the mega-trade that sent James Harden to Houston along with Aldrich and others for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and draft picks. Feigen also stated that the Rockets have picked up options for Marcus Morris and Patrick Patterson while announcing the news about Aldrich.
Aldrich is expected to back up Omer Asik and averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game last season for the Oklahoma City Thunder.