Though the San Antonio Spurs have been all over the headlines for the wrong reasons this summer, it seems like it’s an end of era in Texas with Coach Pop and the old championship squad. After the tough fall out with All-Star Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker is packing his bags and going to Charlotte with the Hornets.
Following a 17-year stint with S.A., Parker ends his tenure with the Spurs and will sign a 2-year, $10 million dollar deal with Buzz City. He will have significant role as backup to Kemba Walker in Charlotte.
Parker called Gregg Popovich and broke him the news that he will not take a mentorship role with the Spurs and he was finally leaving the organization.
“It’s difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades. 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.”
Tony said that San Antonio will always be his home, but he had to move on. He is looking forward to playing with Nicolas Batum and under his idol Michael Jordan.
Over the past few seasons, new faces in Spurs uniform like Dejounte Murray, LaMarcus Aldridge and Derrick White have taken more prominent roles on the court, as the new generation of talent carries the team for the future.
Parker’s most notable news lately has been the comments he said about the extent of Leonard’s injury during the latter part of the season, which was the last straw in the friction and fall-out between Kawhi and San Antonio.