Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expects Tim Duncan to return next season, he told the San Antonio Express-News Friday.

"Timmy’s given me no indication he’s considering retiring, or anything like that," Popovich said.

Asked if he thinks Duncan will opt out this summer and restructure a new deal, Popovich said: "I did mention to him, as an aside more than anything because I’m not prepared, either, but I said, “Hey, we’ve got to talk about your contract. Are you going to play? Are you going to opt out? Are you going to play nine more years? What?

"He said, 'Yeah, my agent is talking to me about that,' and I said we had to get together to talk about it. That’s as far as it’s gone."