Free-agent guard Gerald Henderson Jr. has decided to undergo an operation on his troublesome hip and could potentially miss the entire 2017-18 NBA season to fully recover, league sources tell ESPN.
Henderson hasn't closed the door on a possible return late in the season, but his recovery process will dictate how soon he can come back.
Henderson, 29, expects to be on an NBA roster at the start of the 2018-19 season, sources say.
Henderson released a statement in regards to his decision to have surgery.
"Despite receiving genuine interest from several NBA teams, I have made the decision to continue to evaluate surgical options on my left hip. I have been playing through severe pain that has made it difficult to play to the best of my ability. Now the pain has started to impact my everyday life off the court. My family, my agent and I are working closely with my medical team to give me all of the information I will need to make the best decision, personally and professionally. I am as competitive as they come and want to play. I will fully commit myself to getting healthy. I am thankful for the many opportunities I've had and I look forward to returning to playing in the NBA."
Milwaukee, Golden State and Toronto had interest in bringing him aboard, league sources told ESPN.
The eight-year veteran has experienced complications from excruciating pain, to stiffness in his hip during the past six years. It was so unbearable at times last season with the Philadelphia 76ers that the team insisted he sit out games periodically.
His first surgical procedure to repair a torn labrum in his hip occurred in 2011 when he played for the Charlotte Bobcats. And while with the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer of 2015, the shooting guard underwent left hip debridement arthroscopy surgery.
The Sixers waived him on June 30. He was due to make $9.2 million next season if not released by that deadline.
The 12th overall pick in the 2009 draft has career averages of 11.2 points and 3.2 rebounds with Philadelphia, Portland and Charlotte. Although his hip has been a problematic issue, he never missed more than 10 games in each of the past four seasons.