Duncan signs extension with Spurs

Nov 3, 2007 - 6:50 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Tim Duncan will be with the San Antonio Spurs for a long time. Duncan signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Spurs through the 2011-2012 season. No one is happier than Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

"Tim Duncan has established himself as one of the best players in NBA history," Popovich said. "Despite the individual accolades he has attained, what makes him truly great is his dedication to his team.

"He is the ultimate teammate. He is an unselfish superstar who loves to compete and has only one goal when he steps on the court to do whatever it takes to help his team win."

After Tuesday's season-opening 106-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Duncan seemed happy to remain in San Antonio.

"To have signed this extension and, hopefully, end my career here, that's the biggest part of it," he said.

The Spurs, who are notoriously tight-lipped about players' contracts, did not disclose any financial terms. But San Antonio's owner, Peter Holt, did let his feelings about Duncan be known.

"This is an exciting day for all of us in the Spurs family," Holt said. "We are all grateful to Tim Duncan for the leadership and dedication he has shown to the Spurs franchise.

"He has had a tremendous impact in our community for his efforts on and off the court and I'm thrilled that he'll spend his entire career as a San Antonio Spur."

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the deal is worth around $40 million - a sum that will free up salary cap space for the Spurs to pursue free agents after the 2009-2010 season.

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement entitled Duncan for an extension worth up to $51 million.

Duncan, 31, has spent his entire 10-year career with the Spurs, averaging 21.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. The nine-time All-Star center has helped San Antonio win NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007.