Veteran guard Manu Ginobili will play another season with the San Antonio Spurs, he announced via Twitter on Monday.
Ginobili’s decision to return for a 14th season in San Antonio follows the Spurs’ contract agreement with forward LaMarcus Aldridge and the return of forwards Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard and guard Danny Green.
After Aldridge, a star with the Portland Trail Blazers, agreed to an $80 million contract with the Spurs on Saturday, the franchise reportedly lobbied hard for Ginobili to return.
Ginobili, 37, had pondered retirement since San Antonio’s season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round. He said Duncan’s decision would affect whether he returned for another season. Duncan announced last Thursday that he will play a 19th season.
Last season, Ginobili averaged 10.5 points — his fewest since his rookie season in 2002-03 — and 4.2 assists. His career averages are 14.3 and 4.0.