Spurs' Duncan said to sign long-term deal ( 2003-07-01 09:18) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan plans to sign a long-term deal with the
2003 NBA champions, his agent said Monday.
Duncan, the league's MVP the last two seasons, decided not to exercise a
player option in his current four-year contract, meaning he will become a free
agent.
But that doesn't mean the 7-foot forward is thinking about going anywhere
else.
"He will enter into discussions with the Spurs as soon as he is able to,"
Lon Babby, Duncan's agent, said. "Tim intends to re-sign with the Spurs once the
details of a long-term deal can be finalized."
Babby said Duncan does not expect to even talk to other NBA teams before
settling back in with San Antonio.
The story was first reported Monday afternoon by the San Antonio
Express-News in its online edition.
Under NBA rules, teams are not permitted to negotiate with free agents
until Tuesday, and contracts cannot be signed before July 16.
Spurs spokesman Cliff Puchalski said the team had no comment on any
reports relating to Duncan and his contract.
As a free agent, Duncan, 27, is eligible for a deal of up to seven years
and $122 million.
His last contract, signed in the summer of 2000, was a three-year deal
valued at $32.6 million, with the fourth-year option worth an additional $13.3
million.
Duncan, who has played six seasons in the NBA, averaged 24.7 points, 15.4
rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots in the 2003 playoffs, which culminated with the
Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets in six games in the NBA Finals.
For his career, Duncan has averaged 22.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.5
blocks.
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