Ex-Spur Matt Bonner still hopeful about his NBA future

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Matt Bonner doesn’t know if his career is over. He’ll almost certainly never don a Spurs uniform again. He might not get another chance to unfurl his peculiar-looking 3-pointer as an NBA player.

That uncertainty hasn’t prevented Bonner from preparing as if he had a team to report to for media day next Monday.

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“I’m going to fight to get into the league,” Bonner told the Concord Monitor. “I’m going to fight to play one more year.”

As of Sept. 19, 2016, Bonner still doesn’t have a job in basketball. He has no idea if one exists for him among the league's 30 teams.

He’s been toiling in small gyms in his native New Hampshire, a far cry from the Spurs’ practice facility not far from the buzzing interstate highway.

Spurs’ Matt Bonner warms up before second half action against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 2, 2016 at the AT&T Center. Spurs’ Matt Bonner warms up before second half action against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 2, 2016 at the AT&T Center. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Ex-Spur Matt Bonner still hopeful about his NBA future 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

His goal was always to play until 40 – now he just wants to make through to 37.

Twelve years into a career in which he has won two NBA titles and knocked down 797 3-pointers, the 36-year-old is still adrift, a free agent with a few leads but no assurances.

“There’s been interest, but nothing concrete,” Bonner said. “A lot of teams are like, ‘We like Matt, we just don’t have a roster space right now, but if anything changes, he’s in the mix.’ There’s a long way to go until opening night, so I’m remaining optimistic.”

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Bonner holds no grudges against his former team; after all, he's one of only six players to play 10 uninterrupted seasons with the Spurs.

“There’s no hard feelings,” he told the Express-News last month. “I’m beyond appreciative of everything the Spurs, the city and the fans have done for me.”

Bonner, who grew into a beloved figure in San Antonio, is among the franchise’s leaders in several categories.

He ranks eighth on the games played chart — 632, two more than Bruce Bowen. He is fourth all-time in 3-pointers made (656) and attempted (1,588) and fifth in 3-point percentage (41.3 percent).

Bonner is unlikely to add to those totals with the Spurs, but he hopes those career tallies aren’t set in stone just yet.

That’s why he’ll keep working, even without a team to work for.

nmoyle@express-news.net

Twitter: @NRMoyle