Tim Duncan’s friend and former teammate, Antonio Daniels, said the Spurs big man would probably return next season. Tony Parker predicted Duncan wouldn’t retire yet. Reports emerged about Duncan’s next contract and San Antonio’s planning for him to be on the roster. Duncan was even part of the Spurs’ pitch for free agent LaMarcus Aldridge.
If all that circumstantial evidence didn’t cut it for you…
Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News:
Straight from Tim Duncan: "I'll be on the court next year" ... story coming soon on http://t.co/LMDPrVQ6z4
— Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) July 2, 2015
Duncan is 39, and he’s due for significant decline at some point. I think.
He has aged amazingly well. If he maintains close to the level of production he hit last year and the Spurs sign Aldridge, they should contend for a title. Even if Aldridge signs elsewhere, they have a chance.
Kawhi Leonard is phenomenal, and Danny Green is a strong starter. We’ll see where Parker and Manu Ginobili fall in the aging curve, but Gregg Popovich will limit their minutes to maximize their effectiveness. The Spurs always get the most of their role players, too.
No wonder Duncan is returning.