San Antonio Spurs: Grading The Offseason
Adding David West
Danny Green taking that home-team discount to stay with the Spurs was exemplary of why this franchise has been able to sustain its championship culture for so long. But David West forgoing his $12.6 million player option with the Indiana Pacers to join a contender at the veteran’s minimum ($1.4 million) hammered the nail of that point ALL the way down.
At age 34, West still had plenty to offer in terms of veteran experience, toughness, physicality down low and efficient midrange shooting. For a team that lost a fair amount of depth in its pursuit of Aldridge, West will bolster the bench after averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last season.
David West is passing up potentially his last big pay day for a shot at a ring. That's character. Spurs mentality no doubt.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) July 6, 2015
West reportedly has a second-year player option in his massively underpaid contract, but what’s most significant about the sacrifice that he’s making in his quest for a ring is that he turned down more money from teams like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers to play with Duncan and Aldridge. That is a HUGE deal, especially since he’ll join Boris Diaw as the third/fourth big off the bench.
Only the freaking Spurs could pull off this kind of coup. David West isn’t your typical NBA player, and he’s certainly putting his money where his mouth is (what little money he’s making, anyway) to have a better shot at a championship. As has been the theme so far, David West’s agreement with the Spurs is yet another candidate for “steal of the summer.”
Grade: A
Next: Taking Advantage Of Kings