San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan may still retire after exercising his player option for the upcoming season.
The San Antonio Spurs are in a state of transition. After finishing with a record of 67-15, the Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
The new-look Spurs are led by Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, meaning the old guard of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker are nearing the end of their great careers. Parker has a few more years left, but Ginobli and Duncan may have one more at most.
Duncan, who some thought could retire after the loss to the Thunder, exercised a player option to return to the Spurs for the 2016-17 season, according to The Vertical. The move seems to mean that he will surely return for another season, but that may not be the case:
"Duncan, 40, is still seriously contemplating his desire to continue playing and judge how his body feels, league sources said. The Spurs are allowing Duncan to make a decision on his own timetable, but there’s no question that this offseason is the most seriously he’s contemplated retirement."
The five-time NBA champion has nothing left to prove, but it may be hard for Duncan to walk away if he thinks this team has a legitimate title shot next season, which they do. He may not be a major part of that team on the court, but he still has great knowledge to offer to the younger players. Having Duncan as a player on the end of the bench is much more valuable than just bringing in someone on a minimum contract as a body.
After a 67-15 season, which is tied for seventh-best in NBA history in terms of winning percentage, the Spurs do not seem to be slowing down at all. The Golden State Warriors overshadowed the Spurs because of their own historic record, but that roster may be changing next year. The same goes for the Thunder, who may lose Kevin Durant. This leaves the Spurs in a great position to improve upon a great 2016 by keeping the same pieces in place and taking advantage of the other teams who are losing talent.
Tim Duncan’s presence on the team may not make too much of a difference, but it would be great to see an NBA legend end his career by winning a sixth title.
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