Duncan Has Deal on Mind

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs plans to sign a long-term deal with the 2003 NBA champions, his agent said Monday.

Duncan, the league’s most valuable player the last two seasons, decided to not exercise a player option in his current four-year contract. By not exercising the option, he will officially become a free agent.

But that doesn’t mean the 7-foot forward is thinking about going anywhere else.

“He will enter into discussions with the Spurs as soon as he is able to,” Lon Babby, Duncan’s agent, said. “Tim intends to re-sign with the Spurs once the details of a long-term deal can be finalized.”

As a free agent, Duncan, 27, is eligible for a deal of up to seven years and $122 million.

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Former Houston Rocket coach Rudy Tomjanovich has shown great improvement after six weeks of treatment for bladder cancer, his doctors said.

“We are pleased with the results,” Dr. Rick Goldfarb, deputy chief of urology at Methodist Hospital in Houston, said. “We are optimistic that with continued treatment he will do very well.”

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Ernie Grunfeld was hired as president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards, taking the job that Michael Jordan held the last two seasons.... LaPhonso Ellis was waived by the Miami Heat, ending the 11-year veteran’s two-season stint with the team.... Former Clipper coach Alvin Gentry was hired as an assistant to first-year New Orleans Hornet Coach Tim Floyd.