Duncan gets two-year, $40-million extension

Tim Duncan agreed to a two-year, $40-million contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs, an official familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday.

The agreement will add to Duncan’s existing three-year deal and keep him in San Antonio at least through the 2011-12 season, according to the official.

Though nothing official was released, Duncan reportedly took $11 million less than he was eligible to receive so the team would have salary-cap flexibility. Asked about this, Coach Greg Popovich said Duncan is “definitely special and that’s just a very good example of how his brain works and what his priorities are.”

Duncan, 31, has led the Spurs to four NBA titles in the past nine seasons.

Swingman Sasha Pavlovic agreed to a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending his holdout.

Pavlovic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, confirmed the deal but declined to discuss financial terms after a summer-long stalemate. Cavaliers spokesman Tad Carper declined comment. Pavlovic, 23, averaged 12.7 points in 28 starts last season.

The team is still without holdout forward Anderson Varejao.

Dallas is bringing back Juwan Howard after agreeing to terms with the forward.

Howard, 34, who played for Dallas during parts of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, can’t sign until he clears waivers today after having his contract bought out Monday by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

To make room for Howard, the Mavericks waived center DJ Mbenga.