It’s been about a month since the San Antonio Spurs wrapped their 2016-17 season, but Manu Ginobili still hasn’t decided whether he’ll retire from the NBA or return for 2017-18.
On the bright side, though, his brother, Sepo Ginobili, did say Manu will keep playing if he feels like he can help a team, per the San Antonio Express-News‘ Tom Osborn:
Manu Ginobili is still pondering whether he will retire or return to the Spurs for a 16th season, according to his older brother, Sepo Ginobili.
“Manu will decide over the coming month(s),” Sepo told ESPN radio in Argentina, per NBA para todos. “If he can help and be useful to the team, he will continue.”
Ginobili said after the Spurs were swept by Golden State in the West finals he would take “three weeks, four weeks, whatever” to “let it sink in” before sitting down with his wife to discuss his future.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the Spurs’ free-agency plans impact Ginobili’s decision. Pau Gasol has elected to opt out of his contract and return on a longer-term deal, paving the way for San Antonio to clear more salary and make a legitimate run at Chris Paul, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap or perhaps a slightly cheaper impact free agent.
Sign someone like Paul, and the Spurs will be tasked with fleshing out a supporting cast around Gasol, Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard (LaMarcus Aldridge would probably be gone) on a beggar’s dime. Ginobili fits that bill. He earned a cool $14 million last season, a legacy contract that was probably offered knowing he’d re-sign for minimum-level money should the Spurs net another star before 2018-19.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The Spurs need to create cap space and sign another marquee talent first. And even then, with his 40th birthday around the corner, Ginobili is no lock to continue his NBA career.
