"John Salmons opted out of the final year of his contract Tuesday, a move the Milwaukee Bucks had been expecting since their season ended in early May.

Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed that Salmons had opted out of the $5.8 million remaining on his contract. The veteran guard had a player option for 2010-'11, and the Bucks also had offered an extension to that deal.

The move means Salmons will be an unrestricted free agent Thursday when NBA teams are allowed to begin contract discussions with free agents.

The Bucks remain very interested in re-signing the 6-foot-6 shooting guard to a multiyear deal, after he played a pivotal role in the team's march to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Salmons averaged nearly 20 points a game (19.9) in 30 regular-season games with the Bucks and shot 46.7% from the field while also showing an ability to get to the free-throw line.

Salmons also could be targeted by other teams, particularly those who could lose their own backcourt players in free agency. AOL Fanhouse recently reported the Atlanta Hawks would have serious interest in Salmons if they lost guard Joe Johnson in free agency.

Cleveland star LeBron James, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Atlanta's Johnson are top-tier free agents who have scheduled discussions with a number of suitors.

Milwaukee also has a Wednesday deadline to make a decision regarding forward Carlos Delfino, and it is expected the team will choose to retain the 6-6 Argentine player."