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San Antonio Spurs optimistic about Ginobili returning

By The Sports Xchange

The San Antonio Spurs are optimistic that they can convince veteran guard Manu Ginobili to play one more season.

Ginobili, 37, still hasn't decided whether he is coming back for his 14th season, but after power forward LaMarcus Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers to join the Spurs, the franchise is lobbying hard for Ginobili to return, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

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Ginobili has long planned to reveal his decision about continuing his career in the newspaper La Nacion in his native Argentina, according to the report. The Spurs remain optimistic that Ginobili will decide to play one more season.

Ginobili has pondered retirement since San Antonio's season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round.

Ginobili had said Tim Duncan's decision would affect whether he returned for another season. Duncan announced he would play his 19th season on Thursday.

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Ginobili has averaged 14.3 points throughout his career in the regular season and 15.2 points per game in the playoffs.

Aldridge announced Saturday that he was joining the Spurs. His deal will be a four-year maximum contract worth more than $80 million, with an opt-out after the third year, according to ESPN.

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