With Nick Van Exel intent on retiring, the San Antonio Express-News is stating that one of the Spurs' primary off-season priorities will be to find a reliable backup for All-Star point guard Tony Parker.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Beno Udrih, who ceded the backup job to Van Exel after a shaky performance in the 2005 NBA Finals, will have a chance to re-establish himself in the position next season.

However, Popovich stopped far short of saying the backup job was Udrih's to lose.

"We've got to make a decision in that situation," Popovich said. "Are we going to give the ball to Beno and say, 'Go ahead, young man. It's yours?' or are we going to look around? What are we going to do?"