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All five of the following players could become free agents if they decline their player options by June 29. For one reason or another, however, all five are unlikely to do so, which excludes them from consideration here.

Monta Ellis, Dallas Mavericks

Ellis won't lack motivation to opt out, as he's set to only earn about $8.7 million in 2015-16. Given the number of teams that figure to have $10-plus million of cap space this summer, he'd be a near-lock to increase his salary if he does decide to join the free-agent market.

However, Ellis hinted at the possibility of declining to opt out during an appearance on The Ben and Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan back in October, per Bryan Gutierrez of MavsOutsider.com. He said, "I'm a Dallas Maverick for the next two years and hopefully throughout the rest of my career." If he did decide to decline his player option, however, he'd be somewhere between the 14th- and 16th-biggest name on the free-agent market.

Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers

Few players in the league protect the paint as well as Hibbert, who ranks fourth in opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim among those who face at least five such shots per game. He's become the king of "verticality" in recent years, so much so that the NBA issued a point-of-emphasis memo to referees last March detailing how to call such plays.

Though his rim protection is second-to-none, Hibbert could struggle to find suitors who are willing to match his $15.5 million salary for 2015-16 due to his offensive regression over the past season-and-a-half. Instead, he's likely to give it a go with this Pacers core one last time—including returning forward Paul George—before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2016.

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

D-Wade signed a two-year deal with a player option last summer, ensuring he'd have flexibility to leave South Beach if things went south in the post-LeBron James era. Instead, team president Pat Riley has once again worked his magic, scooping Hassan Whiteside off the scrap heap and acquiring Goran Dragic just minutes before the trade deadline.

Though Chris Bosh is out for the year due to blood clots on his lung, the Heat appear poised to make some noise in the Eastern Conference next year. With $16.125 million owed to him in 2015-16, Wade shouldn't feel much temptation to decline his player option and test the free-agent market.

Eric Gordon, New Orleans Pelicans

With point guard Jrue Holiday currently sidelined due to a stress reaction in his lower right leg, Gordon has emerged as a reliable backcourt contributor for New Orleans. He'll never live up to the four-year max deal he signed in the summer of 2012, but his recent exemplary play is helping put a few lost years behind him.

Due to his lengthy injury history, it's difficult to imagine Gordon finding a free-agent suitor who is willing to exceed his $15.5 million salary in 2015-16. Accordingly, he figures to opt in and continue building off his strong play next year, setting himself up for a big payday in the summer of 2016.

Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets

Last August, Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler speculated Jefferson could choose to opt out of his deal if he "posts another All-Star worthy campaign" like he did in 2013-14, "if only to cash in again." However, the big man went from averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 boards in 2013-14 to 17.2 and 8.7, respectively, this season.

Given the players' union's unwillingness to agree on cap "smoothing," the salary cap figures to skyrocket by upward of $20 million following the 2015-16 season. It makes more financial sense for Jefferson to accept his $13.5 million player option next year and play out his contract before cashing in during the summer of 2016.