San Antonio Spurs free agency, trade rumors 2016: Manu Ginobili gets rewarded with one-year pact

(REUTERS/ERIC MILLER)Veteran guard Manu Ginobili is playing at least one more season with the San Antonio Spurs.

It took a challenge from the Philadelphia 76ers for the San Antonio Spurs to finally re-sign veteran guard Manu Ginobili to a one-year deal which is reportedly worth around $14 million.  

In a report by ESPN, it was mentioned that the Spurs were planning to keep Ginobili by inking him to a one-year deal that would earn him $10 million.

However, the Sixers had a better offer for Ginobili and it was a two-year contract that may give him $30 million, although the second year is not fully guaranteed. 

Because of Philly's attempt to sign Ginobili, the Spurs stepped up, improving their offer, and on Thursday, it was made official. The 38-year-old is not leaving San Antonio after inking his new contract.

ESPN also added in its report that the Spurs took the 76ers' bid to acquire Ginobili seriously, despite the latter already saying last week that he was returning to San Antonio. 

Ginobili is one of two players remaining from the Spurs' original Big Three. The other is point guard Tony Parker.

Earlier this week, forward Tim Duncan announced his retirement, which meant that the 2015-16 season was the last time San Antonio's Big Three played together. 

Similar with Duncan, Ginobili's numbers went downhill in San Antonio's previous campaign. Still, he remained productive as a reserve, averaging 9.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per outing. 

Ginobili began his stint with the Spurs in the 2002-03 season and has since then become one of the most successful players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He helped the team to four titles, became a two-time All-Star, and was the NBA Most Improved Player in 2008.

In the 2016-17 season, Ginobili will likely keep the backup role to provide production and leadership for the second unit. 

The Spurs' biggest addition so far this free agency is veteran big man Pau Gasol who is expected to replace Duncan. 

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