5 reasons Tim Duncan should not retire

May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Tim Duncan has just completed his 19th NBA season in a certain Hall of Fame career. Here are five reasons Duncan should come back for a 20th NBA season.

Tim Duncan recently turned 40 years old and his San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs on Thursday night in Game 6 of their Western Conference Semifinals series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While only two years ago the Spurs won their fifth NBA championship in franchise history, all with Duncan as a key piece on the team, it appears that the end of Duncan’s illustrious NBA career is imminent. Could Duncan conceivably play a 20th season in the NBA in 2016-17? Yes, but he’s likely not going to be the impact player he has been for the duration of his certain Hall of Fame, top-10 player all-time NBA career.

Duncan has been the soft-spoken superstar of the Spurs since going No. 1 overall to San Antonio in the 1997 NBA Draft after an impressive collegiate career with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Will Duncan walk away from his unforgettable NBA career in the coming days without little fan fare?

That’s definitely a possibility, but should he choose to play one more year in the NBA in 2016-17, here are five strong reasons Duncan should return for a 20th NBA season with the Spurs this fall.

Next: 5. Tim Duncan deserves a victory lap if he wants one.