Skip to content

Report: Ginobili declines 2016-17 player option, leaning toward return

J Pat Carter / Getty Images Sport / Getty

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili has declined his $2.9-million player option for the 2016-17 season and will become an unrestricted free agent, league sources told The Vertical's Shams Charania.

Ginobili had until Wednesday to make a decision on his option, and is now leaning toward signing a new contract and returning for at least one more season in San Antonio, according to Charania.

The possibility he'll retire from the league he's spent the past 14 seasons competing in still lingers, though, which reportedly doesn't come as a surprise to the Spurs, who were under the expectation that he would be heading to free agency as he contemplates retirement, ESPN's Marc Stein reports.

One day after falling in the Western Conference semifinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Ginobili acknowledged that coming to a decision on whether to retire would take some time, and considering the history he has in San Antonio, leaving the only NBA team he's ever known won't be easy.

"Of course, it's been an amazing run," Ginobili told ESPN's Michael C. Wright. "We all enjoy playing with each other. I'm so proud of having played with those guys for so many years and winning so many games, and even playing with the new guys. If there's a reason why you always want to come back and keep being part of this, (it's) because of the amazing chemistry, the good times, and the good people that you play with and spend time with.

"It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship. But you learn from losses, and it's important to enjoy every day. Being a part of this team, I'm very proud of it, even if sometimes it doesn't go our way."

Ginobili averaged the fewest minutes of his career (19.6) in 2015-16 coming off the bench for the Spurs. In 58 appearances, he averaged 9.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 45.3 percent shooting. Those numbers dipped even further to 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 42.6 percent shooting during the playoffs.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox