MANILA, Philippines – Tony Parker will miss playing with longtime teammate Boris Diaw in the San Antonio Spurs even as he welcomed new addition Pau Gasol to their team.

Parker and Diaw have been teammates in the French national team since 2003, and played together for the past four NBA seasons with the Spurs. They won the NBA title in 2014 – Parker's fourth championship, and Diaw's first.

Last Tuesday, however, it was reported the Diaw has been traded to the Utah Jazz, a move that allowed the Spurs to clear enough cap space to add Gasol to their roster.

Spurs' fans, thanks for all your messages. Great years here and a ring! Leaving but San Antonio will always be a special place to me.

— Boris Diaw (@theborisdiaw) July 5, 2016

"I'm very sad, very sad that he's traded," Parker said Friday during a press conference ahead of the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.

"But it's a business," he also said. "I understand what the Spurs are trying to do. We're getting Pau Gasol, who's one of the best players in the world."

Parker admitted, however, that he hoped the Spurs "can keep both" of Diaw and Gasol.

"But it didn't happen," he said. "I wish Boris luck in Utah. They have a great team, too."

A day after the trade was announced, Diaw thanked San Antonio and its fans for their support, saying that he relished the "great years" he spent with the Spurs.

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