LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The San Antonio Spurs and French point guard Tony Parker signed a six-year, 66 million-dollar contract extension, the National Basketball Association's rising star confirmed on his website.
After talks between the parties broke down last week, it looked as if Parker, 22, was poised to become a restricted free agent when his contract expired at the end of the 2004-05 NBA season, which starts on Tuesday.
But the deal was done at the last minute. The National Basketball Association deadline for such transactions was October 31, but it was extended a day because it fell on a weekend.
Had Parker become a restricted free agent after the season, he would have been allowed to talk to other teams, but the Spurs would have had the right to match any offer he might receive.
Spurs chairman Peter Holt had indicated as recently as Saturday he was unwilling to increase his 64 million-dollar offer, even though Parker was reportedly willing to compromise on a demand of some 68 million dollars.
Holt acknowledged at the weekend that Parker might command a higher salary next summer, but said that with the collective bargaining agreement also expiring at the end of the season, he preferred to wait.
A new collective bargaining agreement could shorten the maximum length of guaranteed contracts.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich came out strongly in favor of doing a deal now with Parker, and the player said he appreciated his backing.
"Since I arrived with the Spurs, Pop had always been behind me," Parker said on his website. "He was always very supportive, and was not afraid to put me in the starting lineup after only five games.
"He went out saying I was worth the 66 or 68 millions, and I can tell you that I am not about to forget what he did and say for me."
11/02/2004 - 11:12 GMT - AFP