San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich dreads approaching end of Tim Duncan’s career

[Mel_13]

they actually said 5 years? i just remember "multi-year." i might've missed somethin

I never saw that it was 5 years anywhere. Do you have a link for that? Because all I ever saw was a verification that it was more than 1 year, and speculation that it was for 5 years....but I sure missed any confirmation that the new contract is for that long. I think you might want to re-check that...or, you could just keep acting incredulous that someone writes something with which you disagree. Up to you, of course.

The press release said it was a multi-year contract extension. Woj speculated on the contract length, but there has never been any confirmation. The closest we have is actually in this article where Pop says that he made commitments to Manu and Tony. That would keep him on the bench until Tony's contract is up in 2018.

The Woj tweet:

[wildchild]

Of course I don't. That is why I said "it is really quite obvious that he wouldn't likely be" in the above quote. My point was only that I would like Kawhi to stay and if he figures Pop will be gone in two years he may be MORE likely to go elsewhere during the upcoming negotiations. That is all I meant.

After the Finals Kawhi was confident to get the extension, you know he said "I'm sure they -the Spurs and his agent- will come out with a great understanding and a deal", but maybe the ball is on Spurs side of court more than Leonard's camp. The Spurs want cap space next summer to replace Tim/Manu, so they may not be willing to give him the extension (despite what he wants).

IMO if they don't extend him this summer the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency next years could be huge.
It's hard to imagine he accepting his qualifying offer next summer and wait until 2016 to hit the market as UFA, but the new TV deal, Lakers with their deep pockets could lure him to his Cali home, and -you're right- a team without Pop coaching...there are a lot of things Leonard's camp should take into account.

[Mel_13]

After the Finals Kawhi was confident to get the extension, you know he said "I'm sure they -the Spurs and his agent- will come out with a great understanding and a deal", but maybe the ball is on Spurs side of court more than Leonard's camp. The Spurs need have cap space next summer to replace Tim/Manu, so they may not be willing to give him the extension (despite what he wants).

IMO if they don't extend him this summer the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency next years could be huge.
It's hard to imagine he accepting his qualifying offer next summer and wait until 2016 to hit the market as UFA, but the new TV deal, Lakers with their deep pockets could lure him to his Cali home, and -you're right- a team without Pop coaching...there are a lot of things Leonard's camp should take into account.

He's not turning down a max contract to sign the qualifying offer. Kawhi will be a Spur for years to come.

[wildchild]

He's not turning down a max contract to sign the qualifying offer. Kawhi will be a Spur for years to come.

That's why I said "it's hard to imagine..." but we don't know how the market will work next summer, a lot of guys could wait to new TV deal operates in 2016, however I hope you're right.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

I think everyone here dreads when Duncan will retire. Robinson retirement didn't hit as hard b/c the Spurs had a young core of Manu, Parker and of course, Duncan. Spurs still have an excellent young core, but they don't have anybody on the roster like Duncan at this point.

Two more years would be great. I have been blessed in a sense that I have only witness the Spurs missing just one postseason since I have been following them.

[cjw]

People thinking Kawhi will leave are just as crazy as those who think Anthony Davis is leaving New Orleans. It simply does not happen with top flight players entering RFA and eligible for max deals.