Tim Duncan: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation Surrounding Spurs Star's Future
As the Golden State Warriors celebrate the addition of their latest star, the foundation of the San Antonio Spurs is reportedly preparing to walk away.
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Duncan Likely to Retire
Monday, July 4
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported Spurs big man Tim Duncan is "leaning strongly toward retirement."
Duncan, 40, has spent his entire 19-year career with the Spurs. News of his possible departure comes just one day after longtime teammate Manu Ginobili announced (h/t ESPN.com) he would return for 2016-17.
It also comes just hours after Kevin Durant announced in the Players' Tribune he was joining the Warriors. The Spurs were among the teams trying to pry Durant away from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and his decision to join the two-time defending Western Conference champs fundamentally shifts the NBA's power structure.
Had Durant signed with San Antonio, Duncan would have almost certainly returned for one more season and a shot at a sixth title. He came back last summer on a discount after LaMarcus Aldridge came aboard. But with a seeming unstoppable force in Golden State staring him in the face, Duncan appears satisfied with his NBA legacy.
Duncan set career lows with 8.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in 2015-16, but he remained an effective defensive deterrent. ESPN.com's real plus-minus ranked him the 12th-best player in basketball and the second-best defender overall.
Things were a little hairier in the playoffs, as Duncan struggled physically and showed marked signs of age. He was overwhelmed for most of the Spurs' second-round loss to the Thunder before turning back the clock for one last strong performance (19 points, five rebounds) in Game 6.
"I hate to see him go...if he goes," former teammate Stephen Jackson told ESPN.com's Marc Stein."Dave [David Robinson] went out with a championship, and I think Tim deserved the same. But how much better can you be? How much more can you give to the game? He's the best power forward to ever play this game."
Duncan has won five NBA championships and two MVP awards, earning 15 All-Star selections and making 15 All-NBA teams. No one in his generation, save perhaps Kobe Bryant, has a better all-around resume. If he does retire, we're losing one of the greatest to ever play the game.
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