San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon has declined his $3 million player-option and will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Dedmon enjoyed fruitful, but short minutes under head coach Gregg Popovich, but worked his way into a starting spot with the team thanks to his defense, athleticism and relentlessness on the hardwood.

Through 76 games this season, the 7-footer averaged 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game this season, starting in 37 contests.

Dedmon has demonstrated he has what it takes to be a quality backup and a starting center on some teams, despite the lack of minutes played.

Size has always commanded attention in the free agency market and he won't be the exception, but if the Spurs plan to make a run at Chris Paul, they would be smart to offer him a contract and keep him in-house.

San Antonio could potentially let big man Pau Gasol walk if he chooses to decline his $16.2 million player-option, or even trade him if he buys into it — in hopes to free up cap space to sign Paul to a max offer of $152 million for four years.