Tim Duncan is approaching two decades in the NBA, all spent with the San Antonio Spurs. The future Hall of Fame big man has achieved just about all you can achieve in the NBA.
He’s a 15-time NBA All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA teams, 13-time NBA All-Defensive team member, 5-time NBA Champion, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 2-time NBA MVP and the Rookie of the Year in 1998.
With so many accolades and records on his resume what’s left for him? Potentially one more championship run with LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard could be in the cards.
Then again, he could elect to step aside and retire, freeing up some space for the Spurs.
Following from Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports.
San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan has elected to exercise the $5.6 million player option on his 2016-17 contract – but that is not an indication that he’s planning to return for his 20th NBA season, league sources told The Vertical.
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.
Duncan – a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time regular season MVP – could take his decision into the start of July free agency.
Also from Adrian Wojnarowksi of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports, Duncan is leaning closer to retirement.
One of the NBA’s all-time icons – San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan – is leaning strongly toward retirement, a decision that would end an illustrious 19-season NBA career, league sources told The Vertical.
Duncan has left team officials, close associates and friends with a strong belief he’s preparing to make an announcement in the near future on his departure, sources said.
Duncan’s productivity declined this past season when he averaged 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. In contrast, throughout his career he averaged 19 points and 10.8 rebounds.
In the Spurs final game of the season against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016 NBA playoffs, Tim played the fourth quarter of a blowout. It was an odd thing to do even if the Spurs were going to lose. The looks on the faces of both Tim and his coach Gregg Popovich seemed to hint this might be the last time we see him in a Spurs uniform.
(Story was updated on 7/4/16)
