According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Spurs expect Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich to return next season regardless of the NBA Finals outcome.
Amid rising speculation that Duncan and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich might ultimately be moved to walk away together in the event that the team goes on to win its fifth overall championship, San Antonio’s two faces of the franchise have routinely deflected any questions about their future plans.
But sources say the Spurs, to this point, are quietly operating under the assumption that Duncan and Popovich will indeed be back next season. Both of their current contracts, along with those of fellow Spurs pillars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, expire after the 2014-15 season, provided Duncan decides to opt in.
I see one final run from the Spurs big four, with all bowing out next summer and Tony Parker heading elsewhere via free agency.