Tim Duncan does not get to sit any enjoy this NBA Championship for too long before he must start making decisions regarding his uncertain future. Duncan's legacy continues to grow with yet another title ring to add to the collection, but will that be the last one? With a deadline approaching regarding a pending play option on his contract, does the big man opt for retirement instead?
Duncan has until June 24 to inform the Spurs if he will pickup a $10.3 million player option and return for one more season or decline the deal and head off to retirement on a high note. There is plenty of speculation that the 38-year-old will choose to retire considering the Spurs have just won the championship. There are also rumors that head coach Gregg Popovich might also be considering retirement and the two would simply walk away from the game together.
According to ESPN.com, the Spurs are operating as if both Duncan and Popovich are returning next season despite both dodging any questions about their future. Both Duncan and Popovich along with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have contracts that expire in 2015 which means the Spurs will either lose a little now or a lot later.
"I don't know when I'm going to retire," Duncan said, via ESPN.com. "I don't know what the factors are going to be. I don't know any of that and I don't care about any of that stuff right now. It will happen when it happens."
So what happens if Duncan does decline the player option and retire with a fresh championship ring on his finger? According to several NBA sources, the San Antonio Spurs are looking to be active in the Kevin Love trade pool. The team has the cap space for a new contract for the forward. They also have the assets to give up to Minnesota in order to win him over.
Pau Gasol could be a target to sign off the market. The center is currently looking to sign with a well-established franchise set to win. What better team that the Spurs? The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are currently looking at the veteran, but if the Spurs were to offer a contract, Gasol would likely jump at the chance. Another option could be to chase Chris Bosh. The Miami Heat star continues to say he intends on remaining with the Miami Heat for the long-term, but the Spurs could try and win him over.
San Antonio is preparing to lose both Duncan and Boris Diaw if they cannot renegotiate contract extension. That would put a big hole in the roster in need of filling. Getting players like Love and Gasol would certainly help ease the burden.