Thhe San Antonio Express-News is reporting that Karl Malone met with coach Gregg Popovich on Saturday.

Malone was driving from his Arkansas ranch to his home in Newport Beach, Calif. when he took a detour through San Antonio to visit with Spurs officials.

The Spurs still do not have a final decision from Malone, but he reportedly was respectful of the team's desire to not have negotiations last behind the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20.

Malone's agent Dwight Manley recently told the Los Angeles Times the 41-year-old forward was leaning toward retiring. If Malone changes his mind, the most the Spurs could offer him is the $1.1 million veteran's minimum, pro-rated by the number of games left in the season.

"Who wouldn't want him?" Popovich said. "He's a leader. He's got the whole package."

Malone told reporters prior to the season that he would only play for the Lakers, but that was before he Kobe Bryant claimed that the power forward hit on his wife.