Tim Duncan must decide on option for next season by June 24

Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and forward Tim Duncan (21) react during the second quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Duncan certainly won’t be leaving San Antonio, but if he wants a new contract, the future Hall of Famer has until June 24 to decide on his $10.3 million player option for the 2014-15 season, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

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Most opt-in or opt-out deadlines are set for June 30, a day before the start of free agency, but Stein says that “the contract is set up to provide the Spurs with a fairly firm read on the 38-year-old stalwart’s plans for next season before offseason business starts July 1.”

With the years piling up and the uncertainty surrounding Duncan’s future increasing each year, it’s not surprising the two sides have a deal like this in place. Stein says that both sides could also have the deadline pushed back if agreed upon, as well, so this isn’t exactly a firm date for Duncan to make his decision.

It does add a little pressure, though, while giving San Antonio a chance to open the discussion on 2014-15 sooner rather than later. While the Spurs still need to finish things with the Miami Heat before getting to the offseason business, this isn’t exactly the kind of franchise that sits back and relaxes upon victory.

With the NBA Draft set for June 26, an early decision by Duncan could also have some implications for the way San Antonio approaches the draft. The team doesn’t have any early picks, as usual, but his intentions could inform whether the team considers some bigger or less conventional moves to shake things up.

One thing that is certain, however, is Duncan’s place in San Antonio. Whether he signs up for the $10.3 million or opts out and opens discussions on a new deal, the Spurs will presumably be the only team he considers. That is, unless he wins a fifth title and decides to retire … but given how good he still is, let’s not even go there.

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