Tony Parker has long been one of the top point guards in the league. With his contract ending after the 2015 season, Parker was set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That is no longer the case.
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According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Tony Parker has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs:
San Antonio's Tony Parker has agreed to a three-year extension that could be worth as much as $45M, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) August 1, 2014
Wojnarowski would specify that the exact amount is $43.3 million, the maximum amount Parker could sign an extension for.
The chances of Parker leaving San Antonio were slim, but possible. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili’s contract expire after next season, and both could retire. If both Duncan and Ginobili were gone, there is no telling what Parker may have done, and a maximum offer could have lured him away from the Spurs.
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Had he become a free agent, the Lakers could have been in hot pursuit of the four-time champion. Jeremy Lin and Steve Nash are both free agents after the season and Parker looks to have many more good years in front of him.
With Parker no longer a possibility, Rajon Rondo becomes the unquestioned top point guard available in next year’s free agent class. Goran Dragic could be an unrestricted free agent if he opts-out of his contract, while young players such as Kemba Walker, Reggie Jackson, and Ricky Rubio will all be restricted free agents.
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