Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: 'Demolition Man' goes on trial over Bali bombings

Duncan, Spurs agree to $40 million extension

Center will stay in San Antonio through 2011-12 season

Image: DuncanGetty Images
Tim Duncan has averaged 21.8 points and 11.9 rebounds a game during his 10 NBA seasons.

SAN ANTONIO - Tim Duncan has agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs, an official familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday.

The agreement will add to Duncan’s existing three-year deal and keep him in San Antonio at least through the 2011-12 season, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to discuss negotiations.

“That’s probably the biggest part of it, to (sign) this extension and hopefully end my career here, that’s the biggest part of it,” Duncan said after the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106-97 Tuesday night.

No official word has been released.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also spoke about the extension before the game.

“It shows him what we think of him and it adds continuity for all of the other players who are here — other players that we might want to sign in the future,” Popovich said. “It’s just part of doing the family thing and trying to make everybody feel as comfortable as we can within a business environment that we all have to live in.

“As many things as you can do to dilute the hard-core business end of it, you do it, and this is one of them if you can extend somebody.”

Asked about reports that Duncan took $10 million less than he was eligible to receive so the team would have salary-cap flexibility in the future, Popovich said Duncan is “definitely special and that’s just a very good example of how his brain works and what his priorities are.”

The 31-year-old Duncan has led the Spurs to four NBA titles in the past nine seasons, and he was the finals MVP for the first three. He also won back-to-back league MVP titles in 2002-03.

Duncan, entering his 11th season, was the No. 1 pick in 1997, two years before the Spurs won their first title.

The nine-time All-Star has career averages of 21.8 points and 11.9 rebounds.

Before beginning the defense of their title against the Trail Blazers, the Spurs were to be presented with their championship rings after sweeping LeBron James and Cleveland in June.

The Spurs are seeking their first repeat after failing to defend their titles in 2000, 2004 and 2006. They didn’t make it past the second round in any of those seasons.

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

“There’s no better feeling than being the last team standing,” Duncan said earlier this month. “And no matter how many times you attain that goal, you want to do it again.”

The quiet Duncan, who will be 36 at the end of the extension, is the foundation of the Spurs and their league-leading defense. Popovich’s hardworking and methodical approach are apparent in Duncan, who is known for almost unparalleled effort on and off the court.

Hobbled by plantar fasciitis in previous seasons, Duncan was healthy last year and has said he feels ready again this season.

Popovich also showed reporters gathered around him before Tuesday’s tip-off a cartoon he got from a newspaper several years ago. It depicted a player sitting in a main office, a coach waiting outside to see him and an administrative assistant. Popovich had labeled the player “TD” and the coach “Pop.” The cartoon’s caption read: “The Franchise will see you now, coach.”

“That’s actually how we work around here if anybody wants to know the truth,” Popovich said.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
More news
Image: Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo drives past Chicago Bulls Carlos Boozer in the second half of their NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston
Reuters
Rondo makes the Celtics go

PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.

Rondo's triple-double carries Celtics over Bulls

Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.

  ProBasketballTalk tweets

  1. Loading the latest posts…

Source: Twitter. For more, follow @basketballtalk.

Video: NBA from NBC Sports
Knicks, Lin still streaking
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and point guard Jeremy Lin discuss the team and Lin's recent success.

Slideshow
Washington Wizards v Charlotte Bobcats
  Get your cheer on
Check out some of the dancers from the NBA.

more photos

  Ask the NBA expert: Ira Winderman

Do you have a burning NBA question? Submit it now, and then check back for our reader mailbag.

Special feature
Image: LeBron James
Who will be MVP?
Interactive: Rank each player on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = best player, 0 = barely worthy of consideration).

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Blake Griffin
  NBA All-Star starters
A look at the starting lineups for the East and West teams.

more photos