Tony Parker, Spurs chairman expect Tim Duncan to return next season

Spurs stars Tony Parker and Tim Duncan celebrate another NBA championship. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Although San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan is mum on his plans about the future, point guard Tony Parker and Spurs chairman Peter Holt expect the five-time champion to come back next season to try to defend their NBA title.

Manu Ginobili has said he will come back, but Duncan was having none of that conversation when asked if he planned to retire.

“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, via the San Antonio Express-News.

Duncan has one year left on his contract and is scheduled to make $10,361,446 next season. He said would retire if he was no longer effective on the court. Duncan averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds during the season.

That led Parker to say he is confident of everyone's return. Parker is on the books next season for $12.5 million.

“It will come to an end but I don’t think next year,” Parker, who also will be in the last year of his deal next season, said. “I think everybody’s gonna come back.”

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