The Spurs are far from finished and the same can be said of Manu Ginobili‘s career. The 36-year-old recently sat down with NBA Inside Stuff and told host Kristen Ledlow (video link) that he expects to play “one, two more years”.
There’s been retirement talk surrounding both Ginobili and teammate Tim Duncan all season long. Duncan previously made it known that he could see himself playing for a “couple” more years but indicated this week that nothing has been decided. If everything goes according to plan, however, it sounds like we’ll be able to enjoy the core of Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker through the 2015/16 season. Assuming the elder statesmen stick around, the only variable left will be re-signing the trio to new contracts. All three are set to hit the open market after the 2014/15 season. Coach Gregg Popovich, 65, figures to stay in the mix as well as he has said that he’d like to continue beyond this year.
In 68 regular season games this year, Ginobili averaged 12.3 PPG and 4.3 APG and posted a PER of 20.0. He’s stepped it up even more in the postseason, helping to bring the Spurs within one game of their fifth NBA title.