Tim Duncan has one week to decide on his future.
That seems like a really short time frame, and it is, but the statement is also somewhat hyperbolic - Duncan has until June 24 to pick up or decline his $10.4 million player option for next season, but declining it would not necessarily mean he has to retire.
Given Duncan's proclivity for keeping to himself, it's unlikely any official word or even well-placed speculation will come out before then. Other members of the San Antonio Spurs family, however, seem confident.
Especially owner Peter Holt.
"Tim and Manu (Ginobili) are going to play until they die, so I think we are in pretty good shape," Holt told The San Antonio Express-News following the team's fifth championship on Sunday. "Tim and Manu want to play until they die, somewhat sincerely, actually."
While that sounds a little unsafe, Holt's point is clear that he doesn't see the 38-year-old Duncan, or teammate Ginobili, who is 36 and has one year left on his deal, walking away in the immediate future.
Tony Parker, the third member of the trio, thinks his running maters will return, too.
"It will come to an end but I don't think next year," Parker said. "I think everybody's gonna come back."
General manager R.C. Buford had previously expressed the same, and head coach Gregg Popovich doesn't plan on going anywhere. Consider us on board for another season of the dynasty.
