The San Antonio Spurs lost another key franchise cornerstone this offseason when Manu Ginobili announced his retirement, but they are hoping the four-time NBA champion is still very much a part of the team going forward.
On Monday, Gregg Popovich revealed that Ginobili joined him and the Spurs’ other coaches on the team’s coaching retreat last week. While no official announcement has been made in regard to Ginobili joining the staff, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says Pop and the organization are “eager to accommodate him.”
If @manuginobili decides that coaching interests him, he will find an organization eager to accommodate him in San Antonio. https://t.co/r6mGCsIZPX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 24, 2018
After he announced his retirement over the summer, Ginobili made it clear he has no intention of severing ties with the Spurs or the San Antonio area.
“My kids have already started school, and while I’m in town, I’ll be close to the team and the franchise,” he said, via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. “I can’t help anymore by taking a charge or with a steal, but I’ll try to contribute somehow. I appreciate all my teammates, the staff and all the people in the team. I want the best for the Spurs. If I can help, I will do it with pleasure.”
Ginobili may not be ready to commit to a full-time coaching position, but it would be a surprise if he does not help the Spurs in some capacity. Heck, one of his own sons has already given him a great reason to stay around the team, so it’s a good bet that the relationship will continue.
