Hall of Fame bound San Antonio Spurs veteran forward Tim Duncan might be leaning toward is retiring at the end of the season, according to SpursProject.com.

Former longtime NBA coach George Karl also told reporters during All-Star weekend such buzz was rampant among players in behind-the-scenes conversatiosns.

"You know over the weekend, that was the whispers that I got," Karl told the website. "I got a couple of phone calls, one from San Antonio that said that Tim Duncan's thinking this is going to be his last year. The best, most fundamental big guy ever to play in the NBA, and he leaving would make me very very sad. The San Antonio Spurs without Tim Duncan would be very difficult for me to watch."

Duncan is slated to earn more than $10 million next season and per 36 minutes this season, he is averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. As a team. the Spurs have fared nearly as well, currently ranking as the Western Conference's No. 2 overall seed behind Oklahoma City.

In 16 NBA seasons, Duncan has averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, leading the Spurs to four NBA titles.