Duncan insists his future with the Spurs will rest partly on a Nov. 2 vote in Bexar County on construction of a new basketball arena. That vote could determine whether the Spurs remain in the city, and Duncan has indicated he wants to know where the team will be based before committing to another contract. Left unsaid are his other considerations. It's widely known, for instance, that Duncan and Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers are friends. The chance to play for Rivers could be a big draw for Duncan come next summer.
Rivers minimizes that scenario.
Guys are going to do what they want to do. I think that's way overblown, to be honest. They have a championship team and I don't see that changing anytime soon. A former Spurs player, Rivers was a television commentator before accepting the Orlando coaching job in June. Rivers informally guided Duncan and his teammates in workouts during the NBA lockout last year when coaches weren't permitted to have contact with players.