The San Antonio Spurs and veteran sixth man Manu Ginobili are finalizing details of a new deal for his 16th season in the NBA, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Details are still unknown, but the contract will be for a short-term with the 40-year-old Ginobili expected to retire after the coming season. Recently, Ginobili decided to return to the Spurs after weeks of contemplating.
Last season, Ginobili played 69 games, averaging 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 18.7 minutes of action per game. Ginobili’s return will provide an additional spark off the Spurs bench.
Ginobili announced his decision to return in his semi-regular column in the Argentinian publication La Nacion, where he started that coach Gregg Popovich asked him to continue playing. A two-time All-Star, Ginobili has won four NBA titles with the Spurs. He has played 992 regular-season games and made 212 postseason appearances, averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
Spurs prospect Adam Hanga to stay in Europe
International prospect Adam Hanga touted as the heir-apparent of Ginobili, will not play with the Spurs in the coming season. According to reports, Hanga signed a three-year, $8.5 million sheet with Spanish team FC Barcelona that his former squad, Baskonia, refused to match.
With the development, the Spurs will have to wait until 2020 before they can put Hanga in a silver and black uniform. In his Instagram post, Hanga said the Spurs assured him of a guaranteed contract and a roster spot in the coming season. Last season, Hanga averaged 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds for Baskonia. He also bagged the Euroleague’s Defensive Player of the Year award after recording 1.3 steals and 22 blocks last season.
Spurs sign Virginia guard
After missing out on Kyrie Irving, the Spurs have signed Virginia guard London Perrantes. The Spurs announced the move but did not provide contract details as per team policy. Perrantes played four years of college ball at Virginia where he averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 assists with a 40.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
In During the 2016-17 season with the Cavaliers, Perrantes averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 32.1 minutes of action per game. Perrantes’ contract could be a two-way signing, under which a player can spend up to 45 days on the NBA roster for the 2017-18 season and earn a minimum salary of $815,615. If not, they will be placed in the G-League where they can earn as much as $75,000.
