David West opting out

[DPG21920]

Why are you saying he's bolting? Him opting out is not only expected but it doesn't mean he's bolting either.

[TD 21]

I mean, I honestly don't think it' a money thing. If it was he would not have taken such a crazy payout when he did not have to. It could be obviously, but you would have to think he knows the more money he makes the less the team has to improve with.

If his goal was a le and he gave up 11M it would be foolish to go the other way now - especially after the season SA had.

Of course "it's a money thing". The difference between last year and this year is, last year he had to accept the veteran's minimum to play for the Spurs. This year, he could conceivably receive a substantial raise to play for the Spurs. Barring retirement, this is more than likely his intention.

From the Spurs' perspective, I always thought he was going to be one and done though (the player option was essentially insurance, to recoup some money, in case he suffered a career ending or at the very least debilitating injury). He was always going to be a cultural fit more so than an on court one and Marjanovic is clearly in line to be promoted to fourth big.

[siraulo23]

West played like ayres vs okc

but adams/ibaka/kanter also made the gsw frontcourt look bad

[TheGreatYacht]

The expectations were at very least that he would hit open jumpers and make smart plays. He did neither. And all the talk when he was signed was about how much he loved the Spurs and how he had their poster on his wall. So much for all that fandom when he s the bed in the playoffs and then bolts at the first opportunity.

If you love the Spurs so much, why don't you play for the minimum again

He was a bargain. He was the best big off the bench throughout the season, anything else he gave us was icing on the cake. He wants a ring, and he ain't getting one playing for a past his prime coach that has mailed it in. He ain't taking another paycut. Not even Manu is playing for the minimum and he's more washed.

If you expected more, you're a dumb ass.

[GSH]

The expectations were at very least that he would hit open jumpers and make smart plays. He did neither. And all the talk when he was signed was about how much he loved the Spurs and how he had their poster on his wall. So much for all that fandom when he s the bed in the playoffs and then bolts at the first opportunity.

LOL... he loved them $10M worth. That was money in the bank, and he straight gave it up. I don't really blame him for not playing a second year for the min, if he can get more. Besides, opting out of a player option year is how he got here. I think most of us questioned that second year when it was first announced.

He did, in fact, miss some open jumpers against OKC, and he made some bad plays. Should I be angry because he played badly, or mad because he's opting out? Doing both seems hard to maintain.

[cjw]

It's $1 million of additional cap space. They can still sign him at the minimum (1 + player option) after using up the cap space, as the veteran's minimum is higher. He'd then have Early Bird rights after next season, or full Bird rights after the following. Early Bird wouldn't be great for him, but there'd be a ton more cap space to give him a bigger deal with after 2016-17 (if in fact it were a Richard Jefferson-like wink deal).

[DPG21920]

Of course "it's a money thing". The difference between last year and this year is, last year he had to accept the veteran's minimum to play for the Spurs. This year, he could conceivably receive a substantial raise to play for the Spurs. Barring retirement, this is more than likely his intention.

From the Spurs' perspective, I always thought he was going to be one and done though (the player option was essentially insurance, to recoup some money, in case he suffered a career ending or at the very least debilitating injury). He was always going to be a cultural fit more so than an on court one and Marjanovic is clearly in line to be promoted to fourth big.

I disagree. I agree he had to take the min to play for SA, but he actually did it. It showed his true colours and what he values. I just don't find it logical that he would take more money if it meant a worse shot at winning a le. Could he get paid more? Absolutely but I think that happens if SA has the money to burn and it makes no difference if they give it to West.

We will see though - hard to read too much into this announcement since it's very expected.

[GSH]

It's $1 million of additional cap space. They can still sign him at the minimum (1 + player option) after using up the cap space, as the veteran's minimum is higher. He'd then have Early Bird rights after next season, or full Bird rights after the following. Early Bird wouldn't be great for him, but there'd be a ton more cap space to give him a bigger deal with after 2016-17 (if in fact it were a Richard Jefferson-like wink deal).

As old as he is, Bird rights don't have much meaning. He might have one more 3-year deal coming... maybe. After that, he's a vet min "veteran presence on the bench". I'm sure he'd like to get something like 3/18. When you start talking about giving up something with 7 zeros? Not many people would even think about that - especially after already giving up 8 zeros this year.

[T Park]

Hard to read anything, but I can't see anything changing for West. He seemed to love the Spurs before and spoke glowingly of his experience during.

Perhaps it was part of the deal to get him to sign with SA - do this and we will sign you next year for a bigger deal. Perhaps SA doesn't have a good shot other than making small 1 year tweaks this year and he gets a 1 year deal so things can proceed next year.

Or perhaps he's really thinking about calling it quits?

I'm betting on retirement.

[SpursforSix]

I disagree. I agree he had to take the min to play for SA, but he actually did it. It showed his true colours and what he values. I just don't find it logical that he would take more money if it meant a worse shot at winning a le. Could he get paid more? Absolutely but I think that happens if SA has the money to burn and it makes no difference if they give it to West.

We will see though - hard to read too much into this announcement since it's very expected.

I don't know. I sort of agree with you. But then I think West has to be looking at the financial impact on his life and future. If he takes "small" money again, he's sacrificing somewhere around $18,000,000-$20,000,000.

[Kawhitstorm]

Makes sense. If the Spurs can't create the cap space this year to do what they want, they can still field a compe ive team and sign a guy like West to a lucrative 1 year deal (they have to spend the money anyways and can reward him). Then kick the can down the road until next year's free agency.

If Tim/Manu return then then the Spurs will be capped out & the only thing they will have to offer are the "exceptions" (MLE/RE). There are already talks of Boban returning & his market value is at least the MLE so D-Worst might at most get the Room Exception which isn't a "lucrative" deal. (I don't see a scenario where PATFO waive Diaw & give D-Worst a raise since Diaw's 3 mill will be on the books)

Probably not plan A, but definitely something that is realistic depending on what Tim/Manu do, what happens in the draft and what trades they might make.

This could be a scenario where PATFO want to clear cap space to every possible dime if they want to go after someone like Horford. They won't be able to give him the max but GSW were able to sign Iggy despite other teams out-biding them by make more lucrative contract offer & more years. GSW was actually capped out but promised Iggy they will move as many contracts as possible at the expense of draft picks so they can offer him as much money as they could offer under the CBA.

We may very well be looking at a situation where West is looking at retiring or returning if the Spurs need him for another year if FA plan A/B don't happen.

He might pull a McDyess & retire while leaving money on the table. Dyess had a solid regular season but got mauled in the postseason ala D-Worst.

[TD 21]

I disagree. I agree he had to take the min to play for SA, but he actually did it. It showed his true colours and what he values. I just don't find it logical that he would take more money if it meant a worse shot at winning a le. Could he get paid more? Absolutely but I think that happens if SA has the money to burn and it makes no difference if they give it to West.

We will see though - hard to read too much into this announcement since it's very expected.

It's not an opinion, it's a fact; that was literally all they could offer him. It's naive to believe that anyone is so altruistic, that they'd repeatedly sell themselves short, especially considering it's now clear they longer have about as good a chance to win the championship as anyone.

As I said, if he wants to keep playing, I think he'd love for it to be with the Spurs, only this time at a more representative price.

[DPG21920]

I didn't say it wasn't a fact. I said the fact he was ok with taking the min to play with the Spurs (all they could offer) shows he's not about the money.

He's about winning and I don't think he would value anything more than winning as evidenced by him giving up 11M to try and win for the min.

[baseline bum]

You guys are crazy, West is way better than a minimum salary player. He's easily worth $5 million+. Just because he gave the Spurs an unreal bargain last summer doesn't mean he should be stuck there at minimum. Don't get me wrong, I was hoping he'd stay on the deal he had so the Spurs would have more cap space, but he has earned another contract after a strong year.

[random21]

Adios West... This guy is just a midranger chucker.... He showed passion, but way too slow, short and non-athletic...

[TD 21]

I didn't say it wasn't a fact. I said the fact he was ok with taking the min to play with the Spurs (all they could offer) shows he's not about the money.

He's about winning and I don't think he would value anything more than winning as evidenced by him giving up 11M to try and win for the min.

I know you didn't; I did, to point out that him doing so wasn't out of the goodness of his heart.

He wasn't about the money . . . last year. Now, should he continue playing, he'll understandably want to recoup a portion of what he left on the table.

[313]

Please retire

[Obstructed_View]

LOL... he loved them $10M worth. That was money in the bank, and he straight gave it up. I don't really blame him for not playing a second year for the min, if he can get more. Besides, opting out of a player option year is how he got here. I think most of us questioned that second year when it was first announced.

He did, in fact, miss some open jumpers against OKC, and he made some bad plays. Should I be angry because he played badly, or mad because he's opting out? Doing both seems hard to maintain.

Well I'm certainly not mad that he opted out, as he managed to play down to his contract.

[Obstructed_View]

If you love the Spurs so much, why don't you play for the minimum again

He was a bargain. He was the best big off the bench throughout the season, anything else he gave us was icing on the cake. He wants a ring, and he ain't getting one playing for a past his prime coach that has mailed it in. He ain't taking another paycut. Not even Manu is playing for the minimum and he's more washed.

If you expected more, you're a dumb ass.

So no icing then. He was better than fat, uninterested Boris Diaw. He was still the second best big off the bench this season.

[ace3g]

Spurs Nation Verified account ‏@Spurs_Nation

.@D_West30 is doing some good stuff at the @USEmbassyGhana. #Spurs http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/article/David-West-journeys-to-US-Embassy-in-Ghana-8109674.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop … via @mySA

[poeticism707]

Yes!!!!!!!

Can't play d, especially help d which is laughable,

and 9 out of 10 nights can't shoot for .

DON'T RESIGN THIS BUM POP!!!

WEST AND BONNER CAN CATCH THE FIRST BUS

OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!

[Kawhitstorm]

You guys are crazy, West is way better than a minimum salary player. He's easily worth $5 million+. Just because he gave the Spurs an unreal bargain last summer doesn't mean he should be stuck there at minimum. Don't get me wrong, I was hoping he'd stay on the deal he had so the Spurs would have more cap space, but he has earned another contract after a strong year.

He's worth the MLE to any team except the Spurs b/c he & Diaw are redundant. It's essentially the Patty/CoJo scenario except D-Worst is washed up.

[phxspurfan]

I can't imagine Spurs re-signing him with a raise. Can't imagine them making promises last summer regarding a more lucrative contract in the future -- considering how old he is.

Retiring or gone... At least I hope.

We've done wink wink deals before.

[024]

Sounds like he didn't opt out just so the Spurs can give him more money. I don't mind if the Spurs keep West at the minimum but if he wants more money, he can go elsewhere.

[baseline bum]

Yes!!!!!!!

Can't play d, especially help d which is laughable,

and 9 out of 10 nights can't shoot for .

DON'T RESIGN THIS BUM POP!!!

WEST AND BONNER CAN CATCH THE FIRST BUS

OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!

The guy hit 54.5% from the field this year. West isn't much of a rebounder but one thing he can do is shoot.