Tim Duncan Announces He Will Return to Spurs for 19th NBA Season

Some expected 2014-15 to be the last time we'd see Tim Duncan on an NBA floor. But it turns out the all-time great, known for his consistency, isn't ready to hang it up just yet.

In an interview with Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News, Duncan confirmed he has spoken with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and will return for his 19th NBA season.

“Finally had a chance to talk with Pop,” Duncan said. “I’ll be on the court next year.” 

Duncan is technically a free agent and has yet to agree on a contract with San Antonio, but that's seen as a formality. The terms will likely depend on the future of free-agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, whom the Spurs have made a top priority. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported Duncan was part of San Antonio's pitch meeting with Aldridge, and the team is widely considered the favorite to land the All-Star.

Tom Haberstroh of ESPN noted the uniqueness of the meeting:

A 15-time NBA All-Star in his own right, Duncan managed to stay wildly effective on a per-minute basis in 2014-15 despite nearing his 40th birthday. He averaged 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while being one of the few Spurs who stayed relatively healthy throughout the regular season. There was even a growing contingent of analysts who thought he deserved Defensive Player of the Year consideration at one point.

While that honor ultimately went to teammate Kawhi Leonard, Duncan's ability to stay a relevant two-way force speaks to his greatness and Popovich's expert minutes management. He averaged under 30 minutes for the fourth time in the last five years, leaving him fresh for extended time in the postseason.

The Spurs' title defense fell short in a hard-fought first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers that saw Duncan emerge as the best player on the floor at times. The elimination brought the expected avalanche of questions about Duncan's future, which he deflected in typical fashion. 

Sprinkled throughout the offseason, however, were hints of a Duncan return. Popovich told reporters he thought Duncan would return in his own Popovichian way, as did former Spurs guard Antonio Daniels, per Matt Moore of CBSSports.com. The only clue from the Duncan camp was a motion filed by attorneys in an ongoing case against a former financial advisor, asking for a trial next summer so "he won't miss playing time."

There is very little else, from a historical perspective, left for Duncan to prove. He is one of 26 players in NBA history to have at least five NBA championships. He ranks among the NBA's 10 best players in value over replacement, he's the league's all-time leader in win shares, and he will go down as one of the best defensive players in history.

Having made more than $230 million in career earnings, per Spotrac, 15 All-Star teams and 14 All-NBA teams and earned two MVP trophies, there is little question where he stands on the all-time power forwards list. Winning his fifth championship in 2013-14 also made an interesting argument between Duncan and Kobe Bryant for their generation's best overall player.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Not that Duncan cares. His legacy is defined by his love of the game. He's nearly two decades into his career without showing the public much outside of an adoration of bank shots and blocked shots. There's a very astute Derek Jeter comparison to be made in the way they've controlled their public images, but even Jeter had a noteworthy off-the-field life.

Duncan has been a low-key superstar his whole career, living in a city that's allowed him to live his life away from the public glare. Given the fact he's still putting up elite numbers while pushing his 40th birthday, should we really be that surprised he's coming back for at least one more go-around?

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.

Stats via Basketball-Reference.com.