"James Anderson has appeared in just 41 games since the Spurs made him the 20th pick of the 2010 NBA draft.

So Anderson was disappointed, but not surprised, when Spurs general manager R.C. Buford informed him this week the team would not be picking up his third-year option for next season.

"I kind of had a feeling," Anderson said before shootaround Friday morning at the Target Center. "I hadn't played enough games to prove myself yet. They made a decision. It happens."

By declining Anderson's $1.56 million option, the Spurs haven't necessarily severed ties with the 22-year-old guard, who was the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year at Oklahoma State.

Anderson will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, eligible to be signed by any team this summer. The Spurs would be limited to offering him only the price of the option.

Hampered by injuries last season, and by the emergence of Danny Green at his position in this one, Anderson has averaged less than 12 minutes a game in two-plus seasons.

At the time the Spurs' highest draft pick since Tim Duncan, Anderson is averaging 4.4 points in 2011-12 and shooting 37.1 percent. The Spurs inquired about trading him in the lead-up to Thursday's option deadline, but given his limited NBA track record, found no takers."