Manu Ginobili Reportedly Re-Signs with Spurs
Manu Ginobili will return to the San Antonio Spurs next season, as the sides reportedly agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract Thursday, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com previously reported the sides were discussing a one-year deal worth around $10 million.
Stein added the following Thursday:
The Spurs are in a position to exceed the cap to re-sign Ginobili because they have full Bird rights, as he's spent over three years with the organization.
Indeed, the 38-year-old Ginobili has spent his entire 14-year career with the Spurs. While his productivity has waned as he's grown older—his 9.6 points and 3.1 assists per game this season were his lowest marks since his rookie season—he remains an effective player off the bench and a dangerous shooter from the perimeter.
The two-time All-Star and 2007-08 NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner will likely continue to play around 20 minutes a game for the Spurs when healthy, rotating in the backcourt with Danny Green. First-round selection Dejounte Murray may also earn quality minutes if he adjusts quickly to the NBA game.
While the Golden State Warriors have stolen the headlines this summer, the Spurs have had a busy offseason. Tim Duncan retired, Boris Diaw was traded to the Utah Jazz and the team signed Pau Gasol, who will be an upgrade in the frontcourt and give the Spurs a dangerous trio of top performers alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard.
Add in veteran guard Tony Parker and a deep bench, and the Spurs will still be dangerous in 2016-17.
The return of Ginobili is a major plus for the Spurs this offseason, as his veteran presence, perimeter shooting and flashes of brilliance—even if he'll be 39 when the season opens—will be valuable for San Antonio.
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