Tony Parker #9 and Boris Diaw #33 of the San Antonio Spurs talk during a break in the action against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 20, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Spurs defeated the Nuggets 109-99. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/AFP
The French connection of Tony Parker and Boris Diaw in San Antonio may have ended but it paved the way for another international star’s addition to the Spurs.
Parker was emotional seeing his longtime teammate Diaw get traded to Utah but the veteran point guard understands it was a “business” move that the Spurs had to make for the better of the franchise.
“Very sad that he’s traded, but it’s business. I understand what the Spurs are trying to do. We’re getting Pau Gasol who’s one of the best players in the world,” said Parker during France’s media availability on Friday at Sofitel Manila.
The French national basketball team is in Manila for the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament.
Parker and Diaw had been Spurs teammates for five seasons and both shared an NBA championship in 2014.
“I was hoping we could keep both of them but it didn’t happen. I wish Boris luck in Utah. They have a great team too,” the 34-year-old Parker said.
The 34-year-old Diaw, a versatile big man, has bounced around in the league with the Jazz his fifth team since being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2003.