SAN ANTONIO – It was the role on the team, not the money, that drove former San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker to sign with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets this offseason, media reports say.
Tony Parker spoke with the French publication L’Expresso and the interview was posted on BeIN Sports France.
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Parker said that the Spurs did in fact offer similar money to Charlotte, despite what rumors were saying.
Parker signed a 2-year $10 million deal with Charlotte after playing 17 years with the Spurs. The French site #TrashTalk translated Parker's interview from French to English.
"The Spurs offered me the same thing (contractually) as Charlotte, but it was more about the role. It was not a question of money. And it’s important that people know this, because there are a lot of people who were “angry” at the Spurs, thinking the franchise had not offered me anything," Parker said. "Yes, they offered me something similar, but I did not want to finish (as an) assistant-coach."
Parker lost his starting job to Dejounte Murray and saw his role decrease last season. He played in just 55 games, averaging 7.7 points, 3.6 assists. Had he returned, he likely would have fought for playing time with Murray, Patty Mills and Derrick White.
As a Hornet, Parker will still play a bench role but will likely see more playing time behind starter Kemba Walker. He will also be playing for former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego.
Another interesting angle to the interview was Parker clarifying his comments about retiring as a Spurs. He said those comments he made in China were misunderstood. Here's the translation from French to English via #TrashTalk.
My jersey will be retired in San Antonio, surely, but that's why there was a little misunderstanding when I was in China. They said I was going to finish my career at the Spurs, but what I was saying in fact is that my jersey will be pulled out there. Otherwise, as a player, so play, it's over with the Spurs. There will be two years in Charlotte and then it will surely be retirement.
Parker will return to San Antonio to play against the Spurs Jan. 14 at the AT&T Center.