Tony Parker Interview (French Media)

The man that has been involved in trade rumors since the Spurs outing of the Playoffs this past season, Tony Parker sat down with French Media and answered some questions involving his future and possibly being traded from San Antonio.

However Spurs could trade you this summer. there have been some talks about NY and Portland.It’s logical that there are some rumors. I’ve the highest trade value of the team. Anyway, I’ve talked with Pop and he says me that I will go nowhere. It’s true that NY and Portland were the two most serious options but Spurs have said no to them.

Spurstalk.com has the full interview on their site.  After the jump you can check it all out below…why would you want to leave our lovely home anyways right!

You will see that I marked two questions in red that really struck interest in me and also made me cringe when reading. Looks like we may have Parker for just one more year and he will be gone.

Your thoughts?

Your ninth NBA season hasn’t been the most successful one of your career. How do you feel about that?It’s sure that it wasn’t a good season, it was an average one. Every time I came back from an injury, I had another one! But when I think at it, I put it in perspective. I’ve been in NBA for 9 years and it’s the first time I had a year like that. I have a hard time being disappointed. I’ve had a lot of luck since I’m in the NBA. However, I draw conclusions of this year for my future.

Is this difficult year the reason of you not playing the WC this summer?I’ve played a lot these past years. I’ve player the last 6 summers with FNT. I’ve always given the priority to FNT. This time, I’ve said to myself: “I will give the priority to Spurs”. It’s important for me too, it’s my contract year and I have to play well. I think it’s good that I take a full summer off and work on my body. After July 10th, I will have a physical trainer. I’ve never done that in the NBA! I think it well help me. And after an average season, I want to prove to everyone that it was just an accident.

Your have received some criticism for not playing the WC…Of course and it’s logical. People say: ” He is here, he isn’t injured but he isn’t playing!” but they don’t understand that we aren’t machines and that we need some rest. If I’m not playing well, if I’m not at 100% and I play the WC, they will also criticize me. I will never be able to win that argument.

Is spending some time with your wife been also a factor?It’s sure that it was a factor. I wanted to spend some time with Eva. Since our wedding, I’ve played every summer with the FNT! (he smiled) In fact, I wanted more to please Eva than Spurs this summer!

And it’s a crucial summer in your career. There is still one year left in your contract. Do you want to negotiate an extension with Spurs very fast?No, I don’t. I rather wait to see where the big FAs will go this summer. I’m not in a hurry. I also really love SA and I want to stay for the last year of my contract to play with Tim and Manu. After that, I will be a FA and re-evaluate the situation.

And then maybe leaving Spurs?I will have been a Spur for 10 years. It could be the end of a great cycle and it could be a great challenge for me to go elsewhere. If I leave SA, I can have a second career with 8 or 9 years with another team.

However Spurs could trade you this summer. there have been some talks about NY and Portland.It’s logical that there are some rumors. I’ve the highest trade value of the team. Anyway, I’ve talked with Pop and he says me that I will go nowhere. It’s true that NY and Portland were the two most serious options but Spurs have said no to them.

Speaking about that, there will have rumors the whole summer with high level free agents.I will be huge. I will change the face of the NBA and for me, it’s important. Next summer, I will know where everyone is and it will be easier to choose.