UPDATED: Popovich recalls how Parker 'inspired us'

Spurs guards Tony Parker, then 21 and in his second season, and Manu Ginobili, a 25-year-old rookie, celebrate their first NBA championship moment together after eliminating the Nets in six games. Tony Parker is leaving the Spurs for the Hornets after 17 seasons and 4 titles. less Spurs guards Tony Parker, then 21 and in his second season, and Manu Ginobili, a 25-year-old rookie, celebrate their first NBA championship moment together after eliminating the Nets in six games. Tony Parker ... more Photo: Eric Gay / Associated Press Photo: Eric Gay / Associated Press Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close UPDATED: Popovich recalls how Parker 'inspired us' 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO – The Spurs have lost franchise icon Tony Parker to the Charlotte Hornets.

The future hall of fame point guard has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with Hornets, league sources confirmed.

The Hornets are coached by former Spurs assistant James Borrego.

SUBSCRIBERS: Iconic Spurs point guard headed to Charlotte

In 17 seasons with the Spurs, Parker averaged 15.8 points and 5.7 assists while helping the franchise win four of its five NBA titles, including the 2007 championship when he was named Finals MVP after leading a sweep of LeBron James and Cleveland. A six-time All-Star, Parker becomes the second member of the Spurs' vaunted "Big Three" to leave the club after Tim Duncan retired following the 2015-16 season.

"Tough decision. Tough three days. Tough communicating it all to Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich)," Parker told ESPN's The Undefeated. "But I had to move on. It was a very emotional conversation with Pop and (Spurs general manager) R.C. Buford. I will always love San Antonio. I will always be a Spur. My family and my house are in San Antonio. But I'm excited to play for my idol in M.J. (Hornets owner Michael Jordan), coach J.B., who I played for in San Antonio, and with my little brother, Nicolas Batum."

In a statement released through the Spurs media relations department, coach Gregg Popovich said it's "difficult to put into words how important" Parker has been to the franchise over the past two decades.

Recommended Video:

SPURS INSIDER: Current and former Spurs talk about what it's like to play for Pop

"From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us - day-after-day, game-after-game, season-after-season - with his passion, dedication and desire," Popovich said. "We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories. While the four championships, six All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections highlight his resume, the biggest joy for me has been to have the pleasure of watching TP grow up before our eyes. All of us in the Spurs organization will miss having Tony in our program and wish him and his family the best as he continues his remarkable career in Charlotte."

Parker moved to the bench in January after Popovich handed his starting role to Dejounte Murray.

READ ALSO: ESPN'S Michelle Beadle rakes Kawhi Leonard in emotional rant

"Tony understands what is best for a basketball team," Popovich said. "He's a character guy. He knows at this stage of his career being a mentor is really important. And he still going to be an important part of what we do. But Dejounte is a young talent and we need to find out exactly what we have there, so it's time."

Parker ranks as the Spurs' career leader in assists with 6,829. He was also second in games played (1,198), second in minutes (37,276), fourth in points (18,943) and fifth in steals (1,032).