NBA News Wire

Parker expects Spurs to stay in tact

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The San Antonio Spurs have won five NBA titles since 1999, and point guard Tony Parker expects the core group of the team to return to defend its most recent championship next season.

While Manu Ginobili has said he plans to return, forward Tim Duncan has sidestepped questions about his future – although he has said he will continue to play if he believes he is still an effective player.

“It will come to an end but I don’t think next year,” Parker said, per the San Antonio Express-News. “I think everybody’s gonna come back.”

Duncan is scheduled to earn close to $10.3 million next season while Parker is on the books for $12.5 million, with both entering the final year of their deals along with Ginobili.

“Tim and Manu are going to play until they die, so I think we are in pretty good shape,” Spurs chairman Peter Holt said. “Tim and Manu want to play until they die, somewhat sincerely, actually.”

Duncan, 38, just completed his 17th NBA season and has yet to state his plans for the 2014-15 campaign.

“I’m guessing you’re leading me into a question that I’m not going to answer, so I’ll just go ahead and avoid that one,” Duncan said after the Spurs beat the Miami Heat on Sunday to win their fifth title.