Tim Duncan will return for a 19th season with the San Antonio Spurs, and he might get some help in free-agent center LaMarcus Aldridge.
Duncan, 39, talked with coach Gregg Popovich on Wednesday in Los Angeles, where they were part of a Spurs crew that also met with Aldridge, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Duncan told the newspaper on Thursday that he will return.
Aldridge, the Portland Trail Blazers All-Star, was finishing a seven-team tour Thursday with a visit to the New York Knicks.
The Spurs already have agreements in place to retain forward Kawhi Leonard (five years, $90 million) and guard Danny Green (four years, $45 million). They also traded center Tiago Splitter to clear room to potentially sign Aldridge, and center Aron Baynes on Thursday reportedly agreed to sign with the Detroit Pistons.
Duncan, a two-time NBA MVP, was still effective last season, averaging 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game. He was the first player in NBA history to average at least 13 points and nine rebounds at age 38.
In the playoffs, he was even better — averaging 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds in 35.7 minutes per game.