The future of the Spurs doesn’t exactly hinge on Tim Duncan’s decision whether to keep playing, but there’s little doubt San Antonio would like to see him back. And with good reason: Duncan – in his 18th NBA season – was extremely productive last year, averaging 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2 percent, his highest mark since the 2009-10 season.
In the playoffs, he was even better, shooting an astounding 58.9 percent and seeing those numbers climb to 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds. With the way the Spurs manage their personnel, Duncan wouldn’t have to put a ton of energy into the regular season (he is 39, after all), and San Antonio would have one more year to figure out life post-Duncan. Sure, it’s a difficult thing to navigate and can’t be “figured out” the same way you suddenly are compelled to switch cereal brands, but another year is another year. And time heals all, or something.
If you’re one to read the tea leaves, Duncan’s lawyers may have let slip a bit of a clue on Wednesday. It’s a stretch to say there’s any concrete evidence here, but it’s a start.
Is #TimDuncan playing next year? His lawyers 2day requested trial for next summer, "so he won't miss playing time." Hmm #Spurs #onemoretry
— Guillermo Contreras (@gmaninfedland) June 10, 2015
Remember, Duncan is suing former business adviser Charlie Banks after Duncan lost a reported $20 million in investments. The lawsuit alleges that Banks attempted to “hustle” Duncan out of the funds for his own self interest.
From the suit, via WOAI News Radio 1200 in San Antonio:
“This is a case to recover monies Duncan lost while and after he was betrayed by Banks, who committed egregious breaches of his trust relationship with Duncan – breeches drive and fueled by self interest, self dealing, and greed, to Duncan’s substantial detriment and disadvantage,” attorney Richard Danysh of Bracewell and Giuliani writes in papers filed in state court in San Antonio, Texas.
[…]
“Needless to say, Duncan would not have invested his financial future in these wineries and funds, if Banks had advised him that they would be operated for Banks’ benefit to the detriment of Duncan and the other investors,” the lawsuit concludes.
This might just be a continuation just in case, but with how the playoffs ended for the Spurs at the hands of Chris Paul’s ridiculous shot in Game 7 this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see Duncan give it another go. NBA fans wouldn’t exactly complain about seeing one of the game’s greats for one more year.