Yet Robinson had to be reminded by a Spurs staffer at the press conference to talk about Carver. Robinson, when asked to explain the timing, initially mentioned the Spurs.

"This is a good summer for the Spurs to make those good moves," he said.

They can't make many moves this summer, good or bad. And Robinson's decision didn't change franchise plans. The Spurs knew they would eventually need to find another way of playing.

But Robinson clears confusion, setting up next summer, and Duncan feels that more than anyone. He wants a reason to stay.

His new home is one, and a new practice facility and arena are two others. Then there are the financial reasons. According to league sources, Orlando can't come within $4 million a year of what the Spurs will be able to offer Duncan next summer.