San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker believes veterans Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili both will forego retirement and return next season. Parker told reporters he thinks San Antonio's core will come back next season to defend their NBA title, ESPN reports.
Duncan declined to discuss his future Sunday after winning his fifth NBA championship. While there is some speculation the 38-year-old veteran may retire, at least one of his teammates doesn't see it happening this season.
"It will come to an end, but I don't think next year," Parker told reporters Sunday night, via ESPN. "I think everybody's gonna come back."
"Everybody" also includes 36-year-old Ginobili, whose impact off the bench was crucial throughout San Antonio's championship run.
Spurs owner Peter Holt agreed with Parker's prediction.
"Tim and Manu are going to play until they die, so I think we are in pretty good shape," Holt said. "Tim and Manu want to play until they die, somewhat sincerely, actually."
Duncan owns a player option worth $10.3 million for next season, and Ginobili and Parker, both of who are entering the final year of their contracts, are set to make $7 million and $12.5 million, respectively, next season.
Duncan has said before he would continue to play if he was still effective, and last season's numbers -- 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game -- indicated the big man still has something left in the tank.
"I don't see any reason, watching him play, why he can't continue to be a great player," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said after winning the championship Sunday night. "He'll make that decision."
Ginobili flirted with retirement after last season but ultimately came back on a new two-year contract.
