NBA Rumors: Tim Duncan Opts In To Contract With San Antonio Spurs, Still Not Sure If He Will Retire

In a move that doesn’t necessarily reveal much about his future in the NBA, Tim Duncan has opted into his contract option with the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN. Duncan has already informed the team that he is undecided as to whether or not he will actually be playing, though.

If Tim Duncan does decide to continue his career in the NBA, he will be making $5.6 million with the San Antonio Spurs next season. Opting in was a formality, but it does enable the media to know just exactly how much Duncan will be paid if he decides to postpone his retirement.

Wednesday was the deadline for when Tim Duncan could opt into his contract. Had he not done it, then the veteran power forward would have become a free agent on July 1. None of the NBA teams actually expected him to become an available option even if he had opted out.

Sources: San Antonio's Tim Duncan exercises player option on contract for next season, but future remains unclear. https://t.co/w9I8eGp48X

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2016

When asked by the media about the situation, San Antonio Spurs general manager RC Buford remained calm as usual. He stated that the Spurs have all sorts of scenarios planned out when it comes to the retirement status of Manu Ginobili, their veteran weapon off the bench, and Tim Duncan.

According to Sports Illustrated, Tim Duncan put up the lowest amount of points and rebounds in his illustrious NBA career. That doesn’t really matter to the San Antonio Spurs, though. They’re not looking for Duncan to put up the tremendous numbers that he did during the prime years of his career.

Last season, Tim Duncan stepped aside so that LaMarcus Aldridge could become the new star big man for the San Antonio Spurs. The franchise made huge strides towards the future when they won the free agency sweepstakes by signing the former Portland Trail Blazers franchise player.

According to SB Nation, Tim Duncan might have also opted out of his contract to help the San Antonio Spurs have enough salary cap space to sign Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. The cap hold on Duncan was reduced tremendously because he decided to opt into the contract as opposed to opting out.

Out of respect, the San Antonio Spurs are not going to press Tim Duncan for a decision. The franchise is going to let the former Wake Forest Demon Deacons star talk with his family and decide what he wants to do. In return, Duncan won’t take too long because the Spurs need to make moves in free agency.

According to CBS Sports, the San Antonio Spurs need to figure out what they want to do with their front court, as David West has opted out of his contract for next season. The Spurs are going to need someone to play next to LaMarcus Aldridge.

With the salary cap in the NBA rising to record levels, David West could decide to forego his chance at winning a championship in exchange for one final chance to score a gigantic contract. Several teams should be interested in acquiring his services and be willing to give him the financial stability that the San Antonio Spurs cannot.

Tim Duncan will more than likely meet with David West in regards to free agency. Duncan would love for West to come back and provide the depth that the San Antonio Spurs need to overcome the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.

As one of the best players in the history of the NBA, it makes a lot of sense that people do not want to see Tim Duncan walking away from the game just yet. He’s opted into his contract, but he’s still deciding on his career.

[Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images]