Tony Parker says he would be open to leaving Spurs
Kawhi Leonard may not be the only San Antonio Spurs mainstay whose future with the team is in some doubt.
In an interview with French outlet RMC Sport on Thursday, Spurs guard Tony Parker said that he would be open to leaving San Antonio in free agency.
“It is not yet sure that I [will] stay with the Spurs, ” said Parker, “I am open to all proposals. I’d like to make my entire career in San Antonio. [But] the sport is a business and we’ll have to make choices. I’ve had 17 years with the Spurs. I will always be nostalgic, but it’s not the end of the world if I change my club.
Parker then discussed how many more years he would like to play in the NBA.
“I tell myself that for two or three years, I can go somewhere else,” said the former All-Star. “I am 50-50. I do not see myself outside basketball yet. I want to stay three more years to do the 20 seasons.”
To see the 35-year-old Parker leave San Antonio would certainly be shocking. After all, he has been with them since his rookie year in 2001 and become a beloved Spur. He has also racked up six All-Star appearances, six All-NBA selections, and four titles in San Antonio, including a Finals MVP in 2007.
Still, Parker is coming off a career-worst season where he averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 assists in 19.5 minutes per game and lost his longtime starting point guard job to Dejounte Murray. Parker’s comments in March about Leonard and his mysterious injury hinted at some internal strife as well. Thus, with Parker an unrestricted free agent this summer, it does seem plausible (albeit stunning) that one of the greatest Spurs ever could be done in San Antonio.
H/T L’Equipe
