After losing Tim Duncan to retirement, the San Antonio Spurs turned their attention to another veteran. The team announced on Thursday that they have signed guard Manu Ginobili to a one-year deal, worth $14 million. It was their second salary cap move, with the first one going to the signing of Pau Gasol.
Initial talks had Ginobili's deal at around $10 million, but an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers at around $30 million bumped the Spurs' offer up. The Sixers could only offer partial guaranteed money in the second year.
The veteran guard announced on Twitter that he would be returning to San Antonio, even before the contract was finalized. Ginobili declined his player option, which would've had him making just $2.9 million this upcoming season.
The star from Argentina came to the NBA in 2002 with the Spurs, and along with Duncan and Tony Parker, has lead the franchise to four NBA titles in his 14-year career. He has never been one to blow up the score sheet, with his best season seeing him average 19.5 points per game.
The Spurs will look much different without Duncan, but the two constants, Ginobili and Parker, along with some new key parts, will look to keep the Spurs right in the thick of the Western Conference race.
Initial talks had Ginobili's deal at around $10 million, but an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers at around $30 million bumped the Spurs' offer up. The Sixers could only offer partial guaranteed money in the second year.
The veteran guard announced on Twitter that he would be returning to San Antonio, even before the contract was finalized. Ginobili declined his player option, which would've had him making just $2.9 million this upcoming season.
The star from Argentina came to the NBA in 2002 with the Spurs, and along with Duncan and Tony Parker, has lead the franchise to four NBA titles in his 14-year career. He has never been one to blow up the score sheet, with his best season seeing him average 19.5 points per game.
The Spurs will look much different without Duncan, but the two constants, Ginobili and Parker, along with some new key parts, will look to keep the Spurs right in the thick of the Western Conference race.
