Parker, Ginobili and Duncan will all play in final season of their contracts…
San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan has decided to continue playing for another year after exercising his $10.3m player option for next season.
After helping the Spurs to a fifth NBA championship with a 4-1 series win over the Miami Heat earlier this month, much of the speculation surrounded whether or not the franchise’s core would return next year.
With point guard Tony Parker assured of a return, Manu Ginobili was next to reveal he would play on although there was a slight delay as Duncan considered his future over whether or not he would continue for an 18th season in the league.
Duncan had until Tuesday to pick up his option or opt out to become a free agent on July 1, and while there were discussions of a new contract, he has decided to stay in his deal.
Coach Gregg Popovich has previously conceded that he would walk away from the league at the same time as his star forward, but the 38-year-old had a strong season last year and is now ready to go again in order to help San Antonio defend their title.
Duncan averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds in 74 regular season games before putting up 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds over 23 playoff games.
Perhaps key to his consistent form was Popovich’s ability to rest him during the regular season in order to have him fully healthy for the playoff run which resulted in a re-match with the Heat.
The Spurs legend was determined that they would not let their opportunity slip this time round and after playing some of the most thrilling offensive basketball in NBA Finals history, they were able to avenge that heartbreaking loss from the previous year to claim another title.
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