Fansided

Gregg Popovich might only coach the Spurs for two more seasons

By Jason Patt

SSAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 6: Gregg Popovich coaches Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SSAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 6: Gregg Popovich coaches Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There’s a growing belief that Gregg Popovich may not coach the San Antonio Spurs beyond the 2019-20 season.

The San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of trying to patch things up with their star, Kawhi Leonard, who only played nine games this season due to a mysterious quad injury that has driven a wedge between franchise and franchise player. Head coach Gregg Popovich is expected to play a key role in this patching up process, but Pop’s own situation could have an effect on how things plays out.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, not many people in Popovich’s “orbit” believe he’ll coach the Spurs beyond the 2019-20 NBA season. Popovich also has Team USA coaching duties in the 2020 Summer Olympics, so he could officially retire after that. Woj also notes the possibility of the 69-year-old using the 2019-20 season traveling to prepare for the Olympics.

Popovich potentially retiring in the near future shouldn’t shock anybody. He has coached the Spurs for nearly 22 full seasons and has nothing left to prove. He has won five championships and ranks fifth in regular-season wins (1,197) and third in playoff wins (167). Popovich is 138 wins behind Don Nelson for No. 1 on the regular-season list and could pass Nelson if he coaches past 2020, but that may not be important to him.

Popovich also just dealt with the tragic passing of his wife, Erin, which may play into his decision to continue coaching or retire in the next few years.

Next: The 20 different emotions of Gregg Popovich

While nobody should be surprised if Popovich hangs it up soon, that could complicate the upcoming discussions with Leonard. Would Leonard want to commit to the Spurs if Popovich won’t be there for the long haul? If San Antonio hands him the five-year super-max deal worth $219 million it might not matter, but things could get even tricker if that doesn’t happen.

It would have seemed crazy just last year, but the Spurs could feasibly be without both Gregg Popovich and Kawhi Leonard as the next decade begins.

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