San Antonio Spurs roster news: Spurs looking for new role for Tim Duncan

Despite being only in the pre-season, the San Antonio Spurs' head coach Gregg Popovich admitted that he misses his star, Tim Duncan.

The five-time NBA champion retired from professional basketball in the summer and this will be the first time in 20 years that the Spurs will play without their towering center.

In a game against the Phoenix Suns, where they lost 91-86, Popovich revealed that he is ready to welcome Duncan for whatever role he wants with the club.

Speaking to San Antonio Express-News, Popovich said, "If he wants to scout a little bit or run a drill one day or take a week road trip with us, we're open to whatever he wants."

Giving him the opportunity to work with the franchise would hopefully give Duncan the fire to be more involved.

Popovich continued, "We're hoping it will infect him a little bit and he'll want to do more."

According to reports, Duncan is working with the team during the training camp as he guides the Spurs' new big men, Dewayne Dedmon and Dejounte Murray.

His appearance is a welcome one, as Popovich admitted that he is trying to get used to the fact that he does not have Duncan to coach.

After spending two decades together, Popovich knows that Duncan's absence takes a lot of getting used to.

Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News, "It's a little bit lonely here at the start. You don't coach someone for 20 years, that's a long, long time."

Duncan is arguably one of the best big men in the history of the game. He finished his career averaging 19 points per game, while also grabbing 10.8 rebounds per night.

The Spurs are still one of the contenders in the league with players like Kahwi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge leading the franchise. Duncan's influence should still play a big part in the team's development moving forward.