TONY Parker, the point guard of four San Antonio Spurs championship teams, is leaving the team after 17 seasons and sign with the Charlotte Hornets, according to multiple reports.
Now 36, Parker will sign a two-year, $10-million contract with Charlotte, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears added that Parker considered offers from the Spurs and the Denver Nuggets before choosing the Hornets.
A report earlier this week said San Antonio was interested in bringing Parker back at the right price.
Parker was one of the cornerstones of the Spurs’ franchise, joining guard Manu Ginobili and forward Tim Duncan to win four NBA titles since 2003. He also was the MVP of the 2007 NBA Finals and a six-time All-Star.
“It’s difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades,” head coach Gregg Popovich said in a statement.
“From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us – day-after-day, game-after-game, season-after-season – with his passion, dedication and desire. We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories.”
“While the four championships, six All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections highlight his resume, the biggest joy for me has been to have the pleasure of watching TP grow up before our eyes. All of us in the Spurs organization will miss having Tony in our program and wish him and his family the best as he continues his remarkable career in Charlotte,” Popovich said.
Parker averaged just 7.7 points and 3.5 assists in 55 games last season, losing his starting spot to Dejounte Murray.
The move to Charlotte reunites him with Hornets head coach James Borrego, who served as an assistant coach to Popovich with San Antonio from 2003 to 2010 and 2015 to 2018.
In Charlotte, Parker will play behind All-Star guard Kemba Walker but is expected to have a bigger role than he would have had with the Spurs. (Reuters)
