Spurs News: Tony Parker Reveals Why He Really Left For Charlotte Hornets

Tony Parker revealed he left the San Antonio Spurs for the Charlotte Hornets this summer not because of the money, but because of the role he was offered.

The point guard ended a 17-season run with the Spurs this summer as he became a free agent and went on to sign with the Hornets in a two-year, $10 million deal.

Many speculated that at 36 years of age, the Spurs did not offer Parker enough money to keep him in San Antonio while others believe they didn't offer him anything at all. However, that was not the case as Parker recently explained.

"The Spurs offered me the same thing (contractually) as Charlotte, but it was more about the role," Parker told L'Expresso, as quoted on NEWS4SA.com. "It was not a question of money. And it's important that people know this, because there are a lot of people who were 'angry' at the Spurs, thinking the franchise had not offered me anything."

"Yes, they offered me something similar, but I did not want to finish [as an] assistant-coach. And that was the role they offered me, when I wanted to play," he said.

The move to Charlotte reunites Parker with former Spurs assistant coach, now Hornets head coach James Borrego. In addition, his close friend and compatriot Nicolas Batum also plays there.

However, a driving factor for Parker's move was the fact that Michael Jordan, principal owner and chairman of the Hornets, called him to play for the franchise.

"And when Michael Jordan called me, my idol, I thought, let's go," Parker added. "For me, I feel like closing the loop, to finish my career in his club, it's something special for me because it's him that made me want to play basketball."

Parker also clarified confusion over recent comments he made to Chinese website HUPU that he would retire with the Spurs.

"My jersey will be retired in San Antonio, surely, but that's why there was a little misunderstanding when I was in China," he explained. "They said I was going to finish my career with the Spurs, but what I was saying in fact is that my jersey will be hanging out there. Otherwise, as a player, go play, it's over with the Spurs."

Parker won four championships with San Antonio alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, with the last one coming in 2014.

The Frenchman has naturally declined with age and gave up his starting role to Dejounte Murray last season. He averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 assists in the 55 games he played last season, later appearing in his 17th consecutive postseason.

He is expected to be the backup point guard to All-Star Kemba Walker, who will notably be a free agent in 2019. The Hornets kick off their 2018/19 season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 17 at the Spectrum Center.