Tim Duncan Re-Signs with San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan has decided to return for the 2015-16 NBA season, a choice the team confirmed as the Spurs announced the deal via a team release, opting not to disclose the terms of the agreement.

Earlier in the day, David Aldridge of NBA.com reported the Spurs were nearing a two year deal for Duncan, worth $5 million in year one, with a player option on the second year. 

The star's return comes as no surprise, as Duncan confirmed on July 2 he'd be on the court this season, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News.

On June 20, Monroe reported Duncan could take less money to stay with the Spurs:

"

There are several NBA player personnel executives who believe the Spurs will offer Duncan a two-year contract that begins between $6 million and $7 million, with a partial guarantee and a player option in the second season.

If Duncan doesn't exercise the option, he gets, say, 50 percent of that season's salary. In effect, his salary for next season would remain over $10 million, the partially guaranteed portion of the second season’s salary remaining on the Spurs team salary after the cap explodes with the NBA's new TV money kicking in for 2016-17.

"You can call it a 'wink-wink' deal if you want to," an Eastern Conference team executive said. "It's what they did with (Antonio) McDyess, so why not for Duncan."

"

The "wink-wink" aspect of the deal would almost certainly regard Duncan's retirement. The legendary big man is nearing the end of his career.

Should Duncan retire after the first year of the proposed extension, the Spurs wouldn't be on the hook for much in the second year. And after that, his cap hold would disappear. 

The Spurs have had a busy offseason, bringing back most of their team from last season and adding star forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Bringing their veteran leader back on an affordable deal is just icing on the cake in San Antonio.